Responding to the government's announcement of immediate investment for the UK research and development and fusion sectors, Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:
We welcome that the UK government has restated a preference to associate to Horizon Europe. This remains the best option for all parties, including the EU.
However, the decision to unlock a significant portion of the funding that has been set aside for association is a positive step. It reflects the impact of the two-year delay in ratifying the UK’s participation in the programme and reflects the fact that there have been a number of calls for which the UK has not been eligible.
This should not be seen as an impediment to association. It is a proportionate response which recognises the impact that the ongoing uncertainty has created, and the opportunities that have been lost to UK researchers.
Alongside the Horizon Europe guarantee, this much-needed boost in investment will help to shore up research budgets that have been hit by the ongoing uncertainty and to retain and attract world-leading research talent.
Again, we reiterate our desire to see the UK’s association to Horizon Europe ratified so that our researchers and universities can play a full role in achieving the shared research ambitions of the UK and the EU.
Vivienne Stern MBE
Chief Executive, Universities UK