Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), The United Kingdom will be allowed to become an associated member of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, it has emerged.
Its researchers will be able to participate in this research and innovation programme of the EU on the same terms as researchers from other associated countries and will have access to Horizon Europe funding.
The final step towards this has just been completed.
It came when the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes adopted an agreement on the United Kingdom’s association with Horizon Europe and the Copernicus component of the Space Programme.
The reaction came from the European Commission where a spokesman said the UK’s association with Horizon Europe will “deepen the EU’s relationship with the UK” in research and innovation.
He said it would bring together research communities to “tackle global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and health.”
He said the UK will contribute around €2.43 billion per year on average to the EU budget for its participation in Horizon Europe, and roughly €154 million for participation to Copernicus.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion for 2021-27.
It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges.
Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space programme, looking at our planet and its environment to benefit all European citizens. It offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data and makes an essential contribution to reaching our European Green Deal and net-zero objectives.
