London, UK: The UK government has announced its decision to rejoin the EU’s leading scientific research program, Horizon.
UK-based scientists and institutions can begin applying for money from the $60 billion fund.
Associate membership had been included as part of the Brexit trade deal when the UK officially departed from the EU in 2020. However, for the past three years, the UK has been excluded from the program due to a dispute concerning the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Prime Minister Mr. Rishi Sunak stated that, “With a wealth of expertise and experience to bring to the global stage, we have delivered a deal that enables UK scientists to confidently take part in the world’s largest research collaboration program.”
“We have worked with our EU partners to make sure that this is the right deal for the UK, unlocking unparalleled research opportunities, and also the right deal for British taxpayers,” Mr. Sunak.
This announcement also confirms that the UK will participate in Copernicus, the EU’s Earth observation program. However, the UK will not rejoin the nuclear research alliance known as Euratom R&D. Instead, there is an agreement to collaborate specifically on nuclear fusion.
The European Commission, in a press release, mentioned that the decision would be mutually beneficial and stated that, on average, the UK is expected to contribute nearly $2.9 billion per year for its participation in both Horizon and Copernicus.
The scientific and academic community has warmly received the news of the Horizon association.
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