Lord Frost gives update on UK’s participation in Horizon Europe
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European researchers are furious with Brussels as the EU is considering slashing a staggering €663million from its flagship research and innovation programme, which Britain was supposed to take part in as part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK was to to contribute £15billion so it could participate in Horizon Europe, an £80billion science scheme that would have let UK researchers access prestigious EU grants and collaborate with European partners. But the bloc told the UK it cannot participate until it resolves the Northern Ireland Protocol dispute, despite the Brexit feud having nothing to do with UK researchers who have been dragged into the political back-and-forth.
Now, many British researchers are hoping that the impasse, which has dragged on for almost 20 months, can be ended as scientists still remain in limbo. But given the EU is now considering slashing a huge sum of cash from the scheme, they may have dodged a bullet as Britain appears to be gearing up to launch an alternative plan.
EU nations are reportedly calling for a €12.3billion (£10.9billion) cut to next year’s budget, and are pushing for unused Horizon Europe funds to be diverted away from research.
Instead, the Commission has called for the funds to go towards the EU’s semiconductor partnership in the Chips Act, the programme which is seeking to “mobilise €43billion (£38billion) in ‘policy-driven investment’ for the EU’s semiconductor (chips found in tech appliances ranging from dishwashers to smartphones) sector by 2030”.
If the Commission’s bid proves successful, it will drain €122million (£107million) from the European Research Council (ERC), Horizon’s prestigious funding mechanism which administers grants to researchers. Science Business reports that €27million (£23million) would also be cut from research infrastructures, while cuts in other areas would also ensue.
Meanwhile, unspent money from 2020 and 2021 could go back into the research pot for scientists to draw from next year, instead of the for the Chips Act. Scientists and the European Parliament are now urging the bloc not to have the Horizon funding pot plunged.
The Commission’s proposal has sparked fears for researchers and institutions as many rely on Horizon funding for crucial projects which may suffer as a result of a possible funding cut.
Just van den Hoek, policy adviser at the Netherlands House for Education and Research, told Science Business: “Horizon should be safeguarded from these extra demands. When extra demands are being made on Horizon, extra money is required.”
But while EU researches may face having their grants for next year slashed, British scientists cannot even access their promised ERC grants until the Northern Ireland fued is resolved. However, Britain has now launched “formal proceedings”, given that it had previously been negotiated that the UK would take part.
Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “The EU is in clear breach of our agreement, repeatedly seeking to politicise vital scientific cooperation by refusing to finalise access to these important programmes. We cannot allow this to continue. That is why the UK has now launched formal consultations and will do everything necessary to protect the scientific community.”
And while European researchers now face uncertainty as to the status of their future funding, Britain may be able to push through with a “Global Plan B”, although it has stressed that rejoining the scheme would be its preferred option.
Mustered up by former Science Minister George Freeman, the backup option if the UK does not get allowed back in Horizon, will ensure that scientists promised European grants will still receive funding via the Government.
Mr Freeman’s global plan will not also cover the costs of new and existing fellowship schemes, while also see the setting up of a “talent and research stabilisation fund”.
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This will help to prop up the income of universities that would be hit particularly hard by the loss of those promised European funds.It also looks set to involve teaming up with science and innovation powerhouses like our Five Eyes (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US) partners, as well as countries like Japan.
However, several weeks into Ms Truss’ premiership, and the position of science minister remains vacant (Mr Freeman resigned under Boris Johnson’s leadership), which could raise questions as to what might happen with regard to Horizon.
Mr Freeman exclusively told Express.co.uk last month:”Science, Technology and Innovation are fundamental to the UK’s growth, investment, productivity and competitiveness.
“Horizon, Euratom and Copernicus are key research collaboration programs in which we negotiated & agreed to remain in the Brexit Agreement the prime minister signed in January 2020.
“If the EU continues to block us because of the Northern Ireland Protocol we must invest at least the same budget in a big bold prestigious alternative global UK research programme open to European and global partners to tackle big global research challenges.”
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