The European Commission and the UK Government have achieved a significant milestone by reaching an agreement in principle on the association of the UK to Horizon Europe and Copernicus, marking a huge step towards strengthening scientific and space collaboration between the UK and the European Union. This follows the Windsor Framework earlier this year.
As part of the new deal negotiated over the last six months, the Prime Minister has secured improved financial terms of association to Horizon Europe that are right for the UK – increasing the benefits to UK scientists, value for money for the UK taxpayer, and mitigating the impact that the EU’s delays to our association will have on participation rates of researchers.
Dean Russell MP, with a background in physics and a keen interest in scientific innovation, welcomed this historic agreement, saying, "The agreement between the European Commission and the UK Government is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision in the field of science and space exploration. As someone with a passion for scientific advancement, I am thrilled to witness this groundbreaking achievement."
Horizon Europe, at the forefront of scientific research and innovation, will serve as a platform for even deeper cooperation between the scientific communities of the UK and the EU. This association will facilitate collaborative efforts to address global challenges ranging from climate change to healthcare. The UK Government and the European Commission are committed to fostering innovation and supporting researchers in their collaborative pursuit of breakthroughs in new and emerging technologies. The EU will assess UK participants' access to strategic components of the Horizon Europe programme on equitable terms with other associated countries.
Starting from the 2024 Work Programmes onwards, UK researchers will have the opportunity to fully participate in Horizon Europe, enjoying the same privileges as researchers from other associated countries. The European Commission will continue to administer transitional arrangements for calls from the 2023 Work Programmes, while the UK will uphold its funding commitment through the UK Guarantee. This ensures that UK and EU scientists and researchers can continue to nurture their longstanding partnerships with confidence.
The association of the UK to Copernicus, a state-of-the-art Earth-monitoring capacity, and its information services is equally significant. This collaboration aligns perfectly with the growing need to understand and address environmental and climate change-related challenges. The UK's access to EU Space Surveillance and Tracking services further enhances its capability to contribute to space initiatives.
Both the European Commission and the UK Government are committed to encouraging the active participation of UK entities in these programs through joint outreach and engagement activities.
In accordance with the terms of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the European Commission and the UK Government have also agreed on appropriate financial contributions for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, acknowledging that UK researchers did not participate in Horizon Europe or Copernicus at their outset in 2021.
Today's agreement in principle signifies another stride forward in the spirit of friendly cooperation between the EU and the UK, as they work together to address shared interests. The European Commission and the UK Government are eager to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Following this announcement, both parties will collaborate to promptly adopt the necessary legal instruments, subject to prior approval by the Council of the European Union, through the Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes.
You can find out more here bit.ly/HorizonEurope2023
