UK rejoins the EU science research scheme Horizon
This morning, the UK Government confirmed that the UK will re-associate with EU science research scheme, Horizon Europe.
This morning, the UK Government confirmed that the UK will re-associate with EU science research scheme, Horizon Europe. This will enable the University to reinvigorate crucial collaborations with EU partners and access a hugely important source of funding for research.
The UK left Horizon Europe in 2020 and has since been in negotiations with Brussels about terms for rejoining. Over this period, there were constraints on participation in Horizon Europe schemes, across access to grants as well as ineligibility to lead collaborative bids and ineligibility for Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) and European Research Council (ERC) awards.
Despite this, the University continued to perform well in MSCA Fellowships and ERC grants. For example, in 2022/23 the University secured 13 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and 9 ERC Starting Grants. However, engagement with collaborative grants has fallen off over the past 3 years, because of uncertainty around the UK’s access to such funds, and a perception that reviewers would not favour bids with UK participants. The University are now in a position to reverse this trend, reactivating this important source of collaborative research funding.
The University will also look to mobilise its EU partnerships and networks – including Una Europa – to enhance opportunities for networking and engagement.
We are absolutely delighted about this news, which follows years of agonising uncertainty and sustained lobbying from universities. This decision is long-awaited and fantastic news for our important research and international collaborations.
Related links:
Horizon Europe - Innovate UK KTN
Research | The University of Edinburgh