132
Accepted
Horizon Europe is the EU’s €100 billion research and innovation programme that succeeds Horizon 2020...
Conclusion
Horizon Europe is the EU’s €100 billion research and innovation programme that succeeds Horizon 2020 and runs from 2021 to 2027. The programme aims to strengthen European science and technology research, boost innovation capacity, competitiveness and jobs, and deliver on citizens’ priorities.310 Many in the science and research sectors, such as Wellcome, argued that the UK should associate to Horizon Europe following 305 European Commission, Horizon 2020 in full swing: Three years on (December 2017), p 27 306 European Commission, Horizon 2020 in full swing: Three years on (December 2017), p 28 307 Q136 308 Q178 309 Q192 310 Wellcome, Why the UK should associate to Horizon Europe (November 2019), p 4 Universities and Scotland 51 the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. This was because “EU Framework Programmes are the most ambitious multilateral funding schemes in the world, and participation is increasingly global”.311
Government Response Summary
The government confirms it has already agreed to associate with Horizon Europe through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, specifying the terms of participation and financial arrangements, and notes ongoing delays in formalisation by the EU.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The UK Government has agreed to associate with Horizon Europe through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached with the EU in December 2020. The UK Government stands ready to formalise our participation at the earliest opportunity but disappointingly there have been persistent delays from the EU. Horizon Europe gives UK researchers and innovators access to the largest research and innovation funding programme in the world and the UK will participate in all areas of Horizon with the exception of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund. UK applicants are eligible to apply for Horizon Europe funding and participate on equivalent terms to organisations from EU Member States. The European Commission has published a comprehensive Q&A detailing this. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement contains clear provisions ensuring that the UK Government does not pay for parts of the programme we are excluded from. Our first payment will be made only once we have associated with the EU programmes agreed to in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The terms we have agreed ensure our financial contribution is fair and appropriate and participation represents a real benefit to British people and industry. As set out at SR 2021, in the event that the UK is unable to associate with Horizon Europe, the funding put aside for Horizon association will go to UK schemes, including those which would form partnerships internationally.
Source
Committee
Scottish Affairs Committee
Inquiry
Universities and Scotland
Report
First Report - Universities and Scotland
28 May 2021
HC 54
Addressee Bodies
Scotland Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.2 yrs
Report published
28 May 2021