To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government plans to participate in the Horizon Europe programme after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered on
22 July 2019
The UK and EU have a long history of jointly tackling global challenges, with strong links between our research and innovation communities. We wish to continue collaborating with European partners and are considering association to Horizon Europe. We have been fully participating in Horizon Europe negotiations, and are pleased with the significant progress and constructive way in which Member States and EU Institutions have worked together.
After the UK leaves the EU, we will build on existing relationships in Brussels and seek to influence Horizon Europe in line with UK priorities. The Horizon Europe programme must be finalised before we can make an informed decision on future participation. We would not be able to seek association until the Programme has been adopted and we have exited the EU.
The Government is committed to backing UK researchers and innovators by supporting measures to enable world-class collaborative research, including support for small businesses. As a responsible government, we are considering alternative options in case the UK does not associate to Horizon Europe, but this does not change our policy on considering association to Horizon Europe.