Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 138
138
The Horizon programme has been, and will continue to be, vital to Scottish academic research.
Conclusion
The Horizon programme has been, and will continue to be, vital to Scottish academic research. It aids Scotland’s universities in their quest to tackle the biggest global challenges. We praise the UK Government for ensuring the UK’s continued participation; it is an investment worth making. Concerns have however been raised about the UK’s status as a non-EU member. The UK Government should ensure that the UK reaps the maximum possible benefits from Horizon Europe in areas such as health, climate and energy and is not disadvantaged as a non-EU member or inappropriately 319 “US demands better terms for taking part in Horizon Europe”, University World News, 15 February 2020 320 Q194 321 Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellows (USC0013) para 16 322 Q270 323 Q270 Universities and Scotland 53 excluded from relevant programmes. In addition if, for any reason, the UK receives less in competitive grants than its financial contributions, the UK Government should explore why this might be and, if appropriate, seek to adjust its financial contribution accordingly. The internationalisation agenda of Scottish universities and international research collaborations
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.