FST JOURNAL

On 7 September 2023, the UK and the EU concluded an agreement for the UK to participate in the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes as an associate member. The UK was a very active member of previous EU research programmes before Brexit, but various political factors delayed the UK associating to Horizon Europe.  The new agreement opens the way for UK researchers to build on and expand research collaboration with partners in other European countries. However, the extended period of uncertainty about the UK's participation meant that there is much that now needs to be done – by the UK Government, funding agencies, universities, industry, and by our partners in the EU – to ensure that the UK maximises the opportunities that Horizon Europe provides.

The Foundation for Science and Technology held an event on 6 December 2023 to discuss these issues. The speakers were: George Freeman MP, Former Minister for Science, Research and Innovation; Professor Maria Leptin, President, European Research Council; Professor Christopher Smith, Executive Chair of AHRC and UKRI International Champion; and Professor Mary Ryan, Vice Provost (Research and Enterprise), Imperial College London.

A video recording, presentation slides and speaker audio from the event are available on the FST website.