UK and EU move towards post-Brexit research cooperation

The UK DRI welcomes the news that the UK and EU have agreed, in principle, UK association to Horizon Europe, the EU’s latest research framework programme. Horizon Europe is worth over €95.5bn (£86bn) in funding for science and innovation over the next seven years to researchers across Europe, now expected to include those in the UK.

Alongside valuable research funding, association to Horizon Europe will ensure UK researchers can continue to collaborate closely with partners across Europe. With so many of the global challenges we face requiring international solutions, the UK remaining a key part of the European research environment is good news for science in the UK and across the continent.

Dementia research addresses one of the most pressing global challenges – around 50 million people worldwide have a diagnosis of dementia. The UK DRI backed calls for the UK and EU to find agreement on UK participation in EU research programmes and we are delighted that negotiators have found a workable solution.

UK DRI researchers collaborate with partners in Europe and around the world every day, and the certainty provided Horizon Europe association will allow us to continue to expand our international research presence. Most recently, in partnership with leading institutes in Belgium, France and Germany, we launched the CURE-ND alliance to spearhead efforts across Europe to tackle neurodegeneration.

Now the UK and EU need to sign a formal association agreement to confirm and define the scope of the UK’s involvement. We urge policymakers to continue to build on their positive work to ensure an ambitious agreement is delivered swiftly and ensures the UK can be part of the very first Horizon Europe calls in the coming months.

Prof Bart De Strooper, Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, said:

“News that the UK and EU have in principle agreed UK participation in EU programmes including Horizon Europe is very positive. Research is stronger when it is collaborative and researchers in the UK and across Europe will benefit from this pragmatic agreement.

UK DRI researchers are amongst the best in the world, and we await final confirmation that they can continue to work closely with colleagues in Europe and lead joint research efforts through Horizon Europe. That will be good news for dementia research and ultimately for people affected by dementia.”

Article published: 13 January 2021