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The UK government has recently shown some welcome pragmatism on post-Brexit issues. Last week it dropped the requirement for most companies to use the “UKCA” quality assurance mark, allowing them to stick to the EU’s CE scheme. It has also further delayed the introduction of border controls on animal and plant products from the EU, also to avoid incurring additional business costs. Now it should be realistic about another hangover from leaving the bloc and agree to rejoin the bloc’s €95.5bn Horizon Europe science programme.
As the world’s largest multilateral research program, Horizon fosters collaboration and provides grants to scientists in fields such as climate change, cancer and artificial intelligence.it attracts non eu countries connect Members include Israel, Türkiye and New Zealand. South Korea and Japan are interested in joining. The strength of UK universities in attracting funding has helped them get more money from the scheme as an EU member state than they put in.
The UK negotiated associate membership for Horizon in a post-Brexit trade and cooperation agreement. But rejoining has been hampered by a dispute over trading arrangements with Northern Ireland. A deal to rejoin the initiative is expected soon after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak settled the dispute in February. Instead, a breakout hoped for last month failed to materialize. Sunak is now postponing a decision on whether to rejoin until after the summer break, much to the dismay of the scientists.
The government is haggling over the terms, questioning whether Britain’s £2bn-a-year contribution is worth it. With Britain joining the latest seven-year plan at least two years late (and ceasing to be an EU member may have had some impact on its pull), there are concerns that the UK will withdraw less than it gives this time around. While the government has rightfully waived contributions for the missed two years, the government is pushing for future “value for money” clauses.
London has also criticized the amended mechanism negotiated in its EU trade deal, which kicks in if London receives significantly more or less than it contributes to Horizon, but this exposes it to even greater downside. risk. No government can spend £2bn a year on a cost of living crisis without making sure it is well spent, officials say.
Universities and the scientific community in the UK say they recognize the need for value but are urging the government to reach a deal as soon as possible. They say the “paid to participate” element is justified, given that Horizon provides an important gateway for cross-border collaboration and talent in a globalized research environment. The UK government has been working on an alternative UK funding scheme called Vanguard, which is considered a poor substitute. Nobel laureate Sir Paul Nurse has written an independent review on UK research and innovation in which he stresses the need for the UK to rejoin the horizon.
The UK could enhance its continued attractiveness as a partner by, for example, removing visa friction for scientists. The EU could also show some flexibility as UK participation would strengthen the plan. Some associate members, such as Israel and Turkey, have negotiated amendment mechanisms for their contributions, with symmetrical upside and downside limits. Brussels could offer the UK something similar – even if EU officials are naturally keen to avoid the content of UK trade deals being the subject of endless renegotiations.
Ultimately, however, Sunak’s government must decide its priorities. If the UK continues to sit on the sidelines with world-leading research programs on its doorstep, even for another year, its ambitions to become a “science and technology superpower” will look hollow.
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