UK joins Horizon Europe research programme

The UK has agreed a deal to associate to European Union’s biggest science programme, Horizon Europe

The association allows UK organisations to apply for EU research and development (R&D) grants and take part in Horizon projects, certain that successful bids will be covered for the remainder of the programme to 2027.

The association will cover all calls in Horizon Work Programme 2024, while the UK guarantee scheme will be extended to cover all calls under Work Programme 2023.

With a budget of £82 billion, Horizon Europe is open to all types of businesses and research organisations across Europe and the world. Some funding calls allow a single organisation to apply but many require a team of partner organisations to form a consortium.

Usually, the consortium must be made up of at least three organisations from different countries, offering researchers unrivalled opportunities to collaborate on global work in diverse areas, from climate change and health to artificial intelligence.

Read more about the UK's Horizon agreement with the EU.

Space R&D

As part of the Horizon deal, the UK also agreed terms of association to Copernicus, the European Earth Observation programme. This will provide the UK's earth observation sector with access to unique data and the ability to bid for contracts, which they haven't been able to access for the past three years.

Find out more about the UK's involvement in the EU space programmes.

Fusion R&D

In line with the preferences of the UK fusion sector, the UK has decided not to associate to the Euratom Research and Training programme and, by extension, the Fusion for Energy Programme.

The UK will pursue a domestic fusion energy strategy instead, with plans for ambitious new fusion R&D programmes in the UK.

First published 7 September 2023