Response to the Government鈥檚 鈥楽upporting UK R&D and collaborative research beyond European programmes鈥� paper
The Government yesterday published a paper entitled ‘’, which set out how the UK will transition to a new R&D programme if unable to associate to Horizon Europe, Copernicus and Euratom.
The 萝莉社 welcomes the publication of the Government’s plans to support the UK research and innovation sector in the short-term while association to Horizon Europe remains uncertain.
Responding, Helen Pain, CEO of the 萝莉社, said: "We are pleased to see that association to Horizon Europe continues to be the Government’s preferred option, as this would be best for the chemical sciences and wider research and innovation community, a point we have repeatedly made.
"It is also good to see that the publication provides some detail on its longer-term thinking for Horizon Europe alternatives. We will continue to ensure that the Government is aware of the needs of UK chemical sciences and to make sure our community’s voices are heard."
Earlier this week, alongside the Royal Society of Biology and Institute of Physics, we sent a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi MP and the Secretary of State for BEIS, Kwasi Kwarteng MP urging the government to:
- Publish transition plans
- Continue to ringfence the funding set out in the 2021 Spending Review for association to Horizon Europe or for alternative programmes
- Engage with the wider research and innovation community on longer-term alternatives
It is reassuring to see that there will be no gap between the Horizon Europe guarantee and the proposed in-flight assessment process, and that the Government is committed to extend the guarantee and to support third country participation in full if the UK cannot associate to Horizon Europe. It is also positive to see that if the UK cannot associate, the funding allocated to Horizon Europe at the 2021 Spending Review will be used to build on existing R&D programmes with flagship new domestic and international research and innovation investments.
We now urge the Government to engage as widely as possible with the UK research and innovation community to develop its the longer-term plans. We are ready to engage with the chemical sciences community to that end and be its voice.
Yesterday’s announcements are a positive step. The RSC will continue to push for association to Horizon Europe, and if association is not possible, we will set out what is needed so the alternatives are fit for purpose for a healthy, thriving research and innovation ecosystem which enable mobility of the chemistry workforce and students, while helping chemistry-using sectors and companies to grow and flourish.
Are you interested in informing our policy work?
Over the coming months, we will be engaging with our community to help inform our messaging on Horizon Europe alternatives. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact our policy and evidence team through the form on this page.
Find out more
Find out more about the 萝莉社’s activities on Horizon Europe and alternatives in鈥痮ur recent article鈥痓y Head of Policy and Evidence, Tanya Sheridan.鈥�