UK scientists will have access to the world’s largest research collaboration programme, Horizon Europe and the EU’s Copernicus Earth Observation programme - the UK will be participating as a fully associated member for the remaining life of the programme to 2027.

UK scientists will have access to the world’s largest research collaboration programme, Horizon Europe - the UK will be participating as a fully associated member for the remaining life of the programme to 2027.

Announcing the agreement, Downing Street said the Prime Minister had secured a bespoke deal with improved financial terms for the UK’s participation.

From today, UK researchers can apply for grants and bid to take part in projects under the Horizon programme.

Once adopted, the UK will also be able to join the governance of EU programmes – which the UK has been excluded from over the last three years – ensuring it can shape collaboration taking place next year.

UK researchers will also be able to lead consortia in the next work programme of Horizon Europe projects. Horizon will give UK companies and research institutions opportunities to lead global work to develop new technologies and research projects, in areas from health to AI. This will not only open up cooperation with the EU, but also Norway, New Zealand and Israel which are part of the programme – and countries like Korea and Canada which are also looking to join.

The agreement follows a call between the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on yesterday. They are encouraging UK scientists to apply with confidence from today and they agreed that the UK and EU will work together to boost participation.

As part of the new deal negotiated over the last six months, the Prime Minister has secured improved financial terms of association to Horizon Europe which mitigate the impact that the delay in gaining association will have on participation rates of researchers.

The UK will also associate to Copernicus, the European Earth Observation programme which will provide the UK’s earth observation sector with access to unique data and with the ability to bid for contracts, which they have been unable to access for three years.

In line with the preferences of the UK fusion sector, the UK has decided to pursue a domestic fusion energy strategy instead of associating to the EU’s Euratom programme. This will involve close international collaboration, including with European partners, and a new, cutting-edge alternative programme, backed by up to £650m to 2027.

No. 10: "deal will help to grow UK economy and cement UK as a science and technology superpower by 2030"

A statement from Downing Street announcing the deal said it will help deliver the Prime Minister’s ambition to grow the economy and cement the UK as a science and technology superpower by 2030.

Rishi Sunak commented:

“Innovation has long been the foundation for prosperity in the UK, from the breakthroughs improving healthcare to the technological advances growing our economy.

“With a wealth of expertise and experience to bring to the global stage, we have delivered a deal that enables UK scientists to confidently take part in the world’s largest research collaboration programme – Horizon Europe.

“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.”

UK researchers have been excluded from the programmes since 2021. 

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan added:

“Today is a fantastic day for UK science and our whole economy. We have listened to the sector, and through hard work and negotiation we have secured an excellent deal for researchers, taxpayers and businesses.

“The Horizon programme is unrivalled in its scope and opens up a world of opportunity for cooperation on science that delivers real-world benefits for the UK - creating jobs, boosting our economy and opening up collaboration for the sector with some of our closest partners, whether on tackling climate change or advancing cancer research.”

Universities UK : "Horizon lets us do things that would not be possible without that scale of collaboration"

According to Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, President of Universities UK, Horizon Europe has been the basis of scientific collaboration for over 30 years involving dozens of universities and many industrial partners. She commented:

“Horizon lets us do things that would not be possible without that scale of collaboration.

“Allowing our scientists to work together, irrespective of borders, is in all of our interests. Our universities will now do everything possible to ensure the UK rapidly bounces back towards previous levels of participation and is able to secure genuine value, delivering the wealth of research opportunities available.”

The Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Royal Society have issued the following joint statement on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe:

“This is a great day for researchers in the UK and across Europe. The Horizon programme is a beacon of international collaboration and UK-based academic and industrial researchers will now be back at the heart of that.

“Research is vital to tackling the key problems we face, from global challenges such as climate change to driving productivity growth and creating new jobs locally. Our involvement in Horizon Europe will make the UK stronger and is a big win for global research and innovation.”

Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, said it was essential that the European Commission, the UK Government and UK research funders work with urgency to rebuild the “strong position the UK occupied in the Horizon programme, and get funds and global collaboration flowing again into our research institutions.”

The UKspace trade body has welcomed the news that the UK is reassociating with the EU Copernicus and Horizon Programmes. John Hanley, Chair of Ukspace commented:

“We have a strong track record within Copernicus with UK industry securing valuable contracts that have delivered jobs and growth across the country whilst unlocking a better understanding of our planet. We look forward to working with the Government to capitalise quickly on this agreement and identify the actions needed to build upon the UK’s national Earth Observation initiatives to ensure that industry can once more take a leading role in the largest multi-lateral EO Programme in the world.”

According to Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, participating in Copernicus will enable the UK space sector to continue to play a significant role in the development of critical missions to monitor the 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.