Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 136
136
When we asked Minister Lochhead how much of a risk there was that the UK,...
Conclusion
When we asked Minister Lochhead how much of a risk there was that the UK, and therefore Scotland, will lose influence over Horizon and benefit from its contributions going forward, he told us that was “a real concern that has been expressed by the sector”, especially as projects based in the EU may look like a “more attractive destination” for Horizon collaborations.320 Not only might the UK now look like a less attractive place for Horizon collaboration, but Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellows made the point to us that UK applications for Horizon funding had decreased in recent years: While Scotland has traditionally done very well at securing competitive research funding from the EU, analysis has shown that the UK’s annual share of EU research funding has fallen by half a billion Euros since 2015 and there has been a 40% drop in UK applications to Horizon Europe. Substantial work will be needed to encourage UK researchers to take up the opportunities that association to Horizon Europe provides.321
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The UK Government has agreed to associate with Horizon Europe through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached with the EU in December 2020. The UK Government stands ready to formalise our participation at the earliest opportunity but disappointingly there have been persistent delays from the EU. Horizon Europe gives UK researchers and innovators access to the largest research and innovation funding programme in the world and the UK will participate in all areas of Horizon with the exception of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund. UK applicants are eligible to apply for Horizon Europe funding and participate on equivalent terms to organisations from EU Member States. The European Commission has published a comprehensive Q&A detailing this. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement contains clear provisions ensuring that the UK Government does not pay for parts of the programme we are excluded from. Our first payment will be made only once we have associated with the EU programmes agreed to in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The terms we have agreed ensure our financial contribution is fair and appropriate and participation represents a real benefit to British people and industry. As set out at SR 2021, in the event that the UK is unable to associate with Horizon Europe, the funding put aside for Horizon association will go to UK schemes, including those which would form partnerships internationally.