UK rejoins EU’s flagship Horizon science research program

BIRMINGHAM, England

The British government on Thursday announced that it has reached a deal with the EU on rejoining Horizon Europe, the bloc’s $102 billion research and innovation program.

Britain’s membership of Horizon, which funds research projects tackling major issues from the climate crisis to terminal diseases and improving food and energy security, was agreed to continue after the UK’s departure from the bloc in 2020.

However, the deal was never ratified due to the row over policies related to Northern Ireland.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said that UK researchers can apply for grants and bid to take part in projects under the Horizon program, “with certainty that the UK will be participating as a fully associated member for the remaining life of the program to 2027.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We have worked with our EU partners to make sure that this is right deal for the UK, unlocking unparalleled research opportunities, and also the right deal for British taxpayers.”

Once adopted, the UK will also be able to join the governance of EU programs – which the UK has been excluded from over the last three years.

Horizon will give UK companies and research institutions unrivaled opportunities to lead global work to develop new technologies and research projects, in areas from health to artificial intelligence.

“This will not only open up cooperation with the EU, but also Norway, New Zealand and Israel which are part of the program – and countries like (South) Korea and Canada which are looking to join too,” the statement said.

The UK will also associate to Copernicus, the European Earth Observation program. This will provide the UK’s earth observation sector with access to unique data – valuable to helping with early flood and fire warnings, for example – and with the ability to bid for contracts, which they haven’t been able to access for three years, it added.

Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency Paul Bate said It is “excellent news” to be part of the Copernicus program since the UK has a long history of expertise and innovation in Earth observation.

“Participating in Copernicus will enable the UK space sector to continue to play a significant role in the development of critical missions that will enable us to monitor our planet more effectively and lead a global effort through the use of satellite data to find new solutions to the urgent challenge of climate change,” Bate said.

Speaking highly of the deal, UK’s Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “This deal is a crucial step forward on our mission to become a science and tech superpower by 2030.”