Government guarantees R&D funding for Horizon Europe applicants
Businesses involved with R&D in the UK who have applied to Horizon Europe, will be guaranteed funding, regardless of the outcome of the UK’s efforts to formally associate with the body.
Horizon Europe is an EU research and innovation programme with a budget of €95.5 billion and runs until 2027.
In January, the Government announced that the UK will associate with Horizon Europe, but the EU is still in the process of formalising the UK’s association and delays have led to uncertainty for researchers, businesses and innovators based in the UK.
In an effort to streamline the process and calm fears, the Government has guaranteed funding for the first wave of eligible, successful applicants to Horizon Europe, but who have been unable to sign grant agreements with the EU.
The funding will be delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which will publish further details about eligibility, scope and how to apply in the coming weeks.
If you’re a UK-based researcher or innovator, you can apply to most Horizon Europe funding opportunities on the same terms as EU-based applicants.
Horizon Europe funding is available for:
- Research infrastructure
- Global challenges and industrial competitiveness:
- Health
- Culture, creativity and inclusive society
- Civil security for society
- Digital, industry and space
- Climate, energy and mobility
- Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment
- Innovation
- The development of the European research and innovation systems.
While the Government says its priority remains association to Horizon Europe, as both the UK and the EU agreed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) last year, ongoing delays by the EU have led to uncertainty for researchers, businesses and innovators based in the UK.
Funding guaranteed by Government
Science, Research and Innovation Minister George Freeman commented: “The Horizon programme has been a vital source of fellowships and collaborations for UK researchers over the years, which is why the UK and the EU agreed terms for the UK’s participation in the programme under the TCA.
“We are committed to supporting the UK’s world-class research sector in international collaborations, and this safety net will give researchers and their partners the certainty they need to continue to pursue their project plans and maintain world-class science.
UKRI International Champion Professor Christopher Smith: “We welcome the Government’s decision to provide funding to those who have successfully applied to Horizon Europe and will be finalising the processes needed to distribute the funds in the coming weeks.
“We are also working with the Government to prepare for all possible outcomes to ensure the UK’s thriving research and innovation sector has the support it needs to continue collaborating and delivering world-class R&D.”
The guarantee announced is a short-term measure intended to cover the first wave of calls until the EU formalises the UK’s association.
As announced at Spending Review 2021, in the event that the UK is unable to associate to Horizon Europe, the funding allocated will instead go to UK Government R&D programmes, including those to support international partnerships.
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