Russell Group response to latest reports on UK association to Horizon Europe

03 March 2023

In response to reports that the UK Government is considering holding back on association to Horizon Europe, Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said:

"Association to the world’s largest collaborative research programme has rightly been the UK Government’s stated priority for over two years, given the enormous benefits it would bring to researchers and scientists on both sides of the channel. Collaboration with our closest neighbours can sit alongside important new schemes for global research partnerships.

"Now the major political roadblock to UK association has been removed, what the R&D sector needs to see is a clear signal from both the UK Government and EU that full UK participation in EU programmes remains the priority, so that talks can begin in parallel to Windsor framework implementation.

"There will always be issues to navigate, but the progress over the Northern Ireland Protocol shows what can be achieved quickly with goodwill and political resolve on both sides."

This week representatives of the UK, Irish and wider European research, innovation and business communities signed a joint statement urging rapid progress on UK association to EU programmes, including Horizon Europe, Copernicus and Euratom.

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