Brexit betrayal: Damning chart shows UK falling behind Germany in EU science

Tory MP makes Brexit swipe as Labour propose VAT cut

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Horizon Europe is the EU’s £84billion key research and innovation that the UK was set to participate in. The UK was set to contribute £15billion over a seven-year period so British scientists and institutions could access the EU’s pool of funding.

But the UK is banned from participating in the project until it resolves the Brexit disputes with the bloc, including the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The bloc made the move despite the fact that Britain’s participation was a feature of the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

On Tuesday, the European Research Council (ERC), set up by the EU, issued the first grants from the €95.5bn Horizon Europe science programme

Jonathan Amos, a BBC science reporter, said on Twitter: “​​A reminder that ERC grants are among the most sought after, and prestigious, grants in European research. Since the ERC’s inception, the UK has dominated, along with Germany.”

This tranche (€619m) is for “starter grants”, for “rising stars” in European science.

The UK has never previously been outside the top two, and mostly in 1st place.

To receive funding, researchers from Britain would need a deal between Horizon Europe and the UK Government before the time for signing grant contracts ends, the deadline for which is April 19.

The ERC has stated that: “Successful applicants established in a country in the process of associating to Horizon Europe will not be treated as established in an associated country if the association agreement does not apply by the time of the signature of the grant agreement.”

Mr Amos said: “We don’t know how long the impasse will last or, indeed, whether the matter of association will ever be resolved.

“For the grantees, they at least have the reassurance that the UK Government will underwrite their awards.”

The Government has previously assured grantees, saying that: “To provide reassurance, the Government has guaranteed funding for the first wave of eligible, successful applicants to Horizon Europe, but who have been unable to sign grant agreements with the EU.”

This funding would be provided through the UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

DON’T MISS: 
Covid microchip: UK startup says tech WILL be able to track location [INSIGHT] 
Aztec breakthrough after ‘dark secret’ discovered beneath pyramid [REVEAL] 
Baby given 18 months saved by world’s most expensive drug treatment [SPOTLIGHT]

Mr Amos further added: “To illustrate how research is an international collaboration, look at the nationalities of the grantees.

“Although UK-based individuals have been very successful in winning awards, those individuals very often are not UK citizens. They just happen to do their science in the UK.”

On Monday, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss threatened to deny the EU £15billion of UK funds by triggering Article 16.

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Archaeology breakthrough: Ultra-rare bionic armour discovered in ancient China burial
Next post Covid victory as UK ‘closest’ to LEAVING pandemic after heroic vaccine effort