The U.K. will join E.U.’s Horizon Europe and Copernicus Programmes from January 1, 2024
The United Kingdom (U.K.) will become an associated country to the Horizon Europe Programme from January 1, 2024, enabling its researchers to participate in this research and innovation programme of the European Union (E.U.).
The researcher’s participation will be on the same terms as that of researchers from other associated countries. The U.K. will also have access to Horizon Europe funding.
The E.U. – U.K. Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes adopted the political agreement on the U.K.’s association with Horizon Europe and the Copernicus component of the Space Programme. The association Protocol adopted by the E.U. – U.K. Specialised Committee is an integral part of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The U.K. will contribute around € 2.43 billion per year on average to the E.U. budget for its participation in Horizon Europe, and roughly € 154 million for participation to Copernicus.
Speaking on the occasion, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth – Iliana Ivanova said, “I am happy to welcome the UK back to the Horizon family. This is a real milestone, a clear win-win for both sides and for global scientific progress. Together, we can push further and faster. I have made association of non-EU countries to Horizon Europe my personal priority, and we are delivering.”
Taking it to X (formerly Twitter), the European Commission tweeted,
The UK is back in the Horizon family. A win-win for global scientific progress.
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) December 4, 2023
Starting from 1 January 2024, UK researchers will be able to participate in @HorizonEU, the EU’s research and innovation programme.
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The U.K.’s association with Horizon Europe will further deepen the E.U.’s relationship with the U.K. in research and innovation, bringing together research communities to tackle global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and health.
It is to be noted that Horizon Europe is the E.U.’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 United Nation’s (U.N.’s) Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the E.U.’s competitiveness and growth. The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing E.U. policies while tackling global challenges. On the other hand, Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the E.U.’s Space Programme which offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data and makes an essential contribution to reaching the European Green Deal and net-zero objectives.
