Government paper on EU science and innovation

06 September 2017

Commenting on the UK Government’s ambition to secure a far-reaching agreement with the EU on science and innovation, Acting Director of the Russell Group Dr Tim Bradshaw said:

“Since the start of the Horizon 2020 programme, Russell Group universities have made over 9,300 collaborative links with partners in every EU Member State and beyond. Establishing a framework which will allow these vital scientific collaborations to continue will help strengthen UK and EU science and enhance the prosperity and well-being of all countries involved. We are keen to work closely with Ministers and officials in the coming weeks on what such an ambitious agreement could look like  given UK universities’ unique relationship with European science and innovation.

“Now that the Government is clearly serious about securing a positive outcome for science from the Brexit negotiations, a good first step will be to ensure UK organisations can continue participating in the Horizon 2020 programme until its end. We urge the UK Government to secure an agreement with the EU which will allow our universities to remain core partners in European research projects from the day we leave the EU.

“Scientific excellence is dependent on excellent people. Ensuring EU nationals have the certainty they need to plan for a future studying or working in the UK is essential. We want to ensure students, academics and other university staff feel welcome in the UK and valued for the hugely important contributions they make in the classroom, on campus and in their local communities.”

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