UK rejoins EU’s Horizon flagship research program

After months of negotiations, England Rejoin Horizon in the EU €95.5 billion flagship The research and innovation program was announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday.

The country’s participation in the program was part of the Brexit agreement, but has been suspended for three years following a feud between Brussels and London over trade rules in Northern Ireland, the only land border with EU member-state Great Britain. Membership was blocked. Ireland.

However, the February resolution cleared the way for Britain’s return to the Horizon, as confirmed in a telephone call between Mr Sunak and Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday 6 September.

“We have been working with our EU partners to ensure this is the right deal for the UK, unlocking unparalleled research opportunities and making sure it is the right deal for UK taxpayers as well. .” Said.

Under the new agreement, UK researchers will be able to start applying for grants and tendering to participate in the Horizon Project, with full access starting in January 2024. The agreement also includes joining Copernicus, the European Earth observation satellite program.

of european unionIt also accepted Britain’s request to withdraw from Euratom, the European nuclear power program, and instead pursue a domestic fusion energy strategy.

“The EU and the UK are important strategic partners and today’s agreement proves that point.

London will have to contribute an average of €2.6 billion a year to join both Horizon and Copernicus, but will not have to pay for periods of absence.

The news was welcomed with joy and relief by the British scientific community. We are running a campaign for regain access.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Rector of the University of the UK, emphasized the importance of cross-border scientific cooperation. “Horizon Europe” [and its predecessors have] It has been the cornerstone of scientific cooperation for over 30 years,” she said. Said.

“From the early detection of ovarian cancer to the development of a clean energy network involving dozens of universities and dozens of industry partners, Horizon has enabled us to do what would not otherwise be possible without collaboration of its scale. We can do it.”

Similarly, Dr Diana Beach, CEO of London Hire, said that as the university seeks to make the UK a “global science powerhouse”, it will “continue to be a driving force of innovation in the UK and We now have the certainty and stability we need to build connections between regions.” “

Overall, the UK re-entry intro “Horizon” marks a pivotal moment not only for the post-divorce relationship between London and Brussels, but also for European innovation and scientific progress.

“The EU and the UK are important strategic partners and allies, and today’s agreement proves that point.” Said Von der Leyen. “We will continue to be at the forefront of global science and research.”