Universities UK calls for urgent resolution on Horizon Europe association
Last updated on Tuesday 20 Dec 2022 at 10:28pm
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Universities UK (UUK) has today called for an urgent resolution to the ongoing discussions about UK access to Horizon Europe, with the future of the EU-UK research scheme described as ‘close to the precipice’.
In a letter to Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, UUK says that researchers across the continent have been waiting for 17 months for the arrangement to be confirmed, with the impact of the delay felt by UK institutions and their EU counterparts. Thousands of researchers across Europe have already backed the Stick to Science campaign, urging the EU to put scientific collaboration before politics.
Professor Paul Boyle, policy lead for research and innovation on the UUK Board and Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University, writes in the letter:
Many of our members have reported that their researchers have been forced to leave research consortia that are working on projects that would have a tangible positive impact on European and global prosperity, like improving climate data and addressing food security in sub-Saharan Africa. The situation is deteriorating every day that the uncertainty drags on.
Failure to secure UK association to Horizon Europe would be a lose-lose for health, wealth and wellbeing and would do a disservice to future generations in Europe and beyond.
Professor Paul Boyle
Policy lead for research and innovation, UUK Board; Vice-Chancellor, Swansea University
This latest intervention has been covered by the BBC, including an interview on Radio 4’s Today programme by Vivienne Stern MBE, Director of Universities UK International.
