One-year anniversary of UK association to Horizon Europe

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One-year anniversary of UK association to Horizon Europe

A year ago the UK associated to Horizon Europe - the world's largest international research and innovation programme - and Copernicus, the EU's world-leading Earth observation programme.

© EU

Since 1 January 2024, UK researchers have been able to participate in the programme on the same terms as researchers from EU Member States, which means they can lead consortia and have direct access to Horizon Europe funding.

The UK's association to Horizon Europe has considerably strengthened the EU-UK partnership in the research and innovation sector. Overall, UK participation in the programme is on a good track. Although many calls are still open or undergoing evaluation and it is too early to draw conclusions, initial data shows a positive trend for UK-based researchers and organisations. The UK has performed particularly well in the European Research Council (ERC) calls. It was the top beneficiary of the ERC's Proof of Concept grants announced in July. It was one of the top beneficiaries of the ERC's Consolidator grants announced in December and the Starting grants announced in September, with a 56% increase compared to 2023 figures. UK-based researchers participated in twice as many projects receiving ERC Synergy grants, compared to 2023.

In cooperation with the EU Delegation, the UK government has been leading a Horizon Europe roadshow to promote participation opportunities across the UK. The roadshow launched in London in February and went to Birmingham in March, Glasgow in June and Lisburn (Northern Ireland) in October. The next stop will be Cardiff on 28 January 2025 - registrations are open!

In addition, the European Commission and UKRI organised information days on Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) in June and on the European Innovation Council (EIC) in October 2024. The EIC info day can be watched again here.

In March 2024, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Europe's largest innovation ecosystem and a part of Horizon Europe aiming at supporting competitiveness and growth through innovation, launched the EIT Hub UK. The EIT Hub UK is connecting the EU's and UK's ecosystems. It has already organised matchmaking activities, immersion visits, and builds a bridge for business collaborations.

Background

Horizon Europe is the biggest international research and innovation programme in the world with more than £82 billion (€95.5 billion) of funding available over seven years (2021 to 2027) from the EU budget, to which all associated countries are adding further contributions. It is open to the world, which means that participants can participate in most calls, regardless of where they are based. Researchers from associated countries have even greater access, they can lead projects and receive direct funding from the programme. The programme supports major research and innovation projects and international partnerships helping to tackle global challenges.

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union's Space programme, looking at our planet and its environment to the benefit of all European citizens. It offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data. Copernicus contributes to delivering the European Green Deal and reaching the net-zero objectives.

Questions & Answers on the UK's association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus can be found here, as well as in this FAQ

Joint statement by the European Commission and the UK Government on the UK's association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus

UK association to Horizon Europe

UK national contact points for Horizon Europe

Horizon dashboard, including EU-funded projects in the UK