UK rejoins Horizon research programme

The UK’s association to the world-leading Horizon and Copernicus programmes was officially sealed last week as Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan visited Brussels in an effort to reinstate the UK’s involvement.

This deal is set to create and support thousands of jobs as part of the next generation of research talent which were at risk following Brexit. 

As part of the new deal negotiated over the last six months, the UK states it “Secured improved financial terms of association to Horizon that are right for the UK – increasing the benefits to UK scientists, and value for money for the UK taxpayer”.

The Secretary of State has met with the EU Research and Innovation Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, as officials signed the agreement to formalise the bespoke arrangement.

Time will tell how the arrangement works out and how the scientific community reacts.

See: Landmark moment for scientists, researchers and businesses as UK association to £80 billion Horizon research programme officially sealed - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)