The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson) and Science Minister (Jo Johnson) have said that the Government will “provide additional funding for scientists and researchers who have sought EU funding before we leave the EU, to ensure that research and innovation will still be funded”.
They said this means funding will be available to support UK research proposals to Horizon 2020, the EU’s funding programme for research and innovation.
This commitment will protect UK bids to the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and SME instrument programmes, if the European Commission stops evaluating them after a no-deal Brexit.
The Prime Minister has also announced that the Government will develop a fast-track visa route for scientists, allowing the UK to continue attracting “international talent in science and research from around the world”.
Science and Innovation Minister said: “While it remains our ambition to secure a deal with the EU, this pledge means that researchers and innovators can submit proposals to Horizon 2020 with confidence, right up to 31 October, knowing that the best proposals will be funded — regardless of how we leave the EU.
The UK’s science and research system is one of the very best in the world, but great ideas know no borders, and science is a global endeavour.”
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will assess bids to these programmes, if they are not evaluated by the EU, thereby making sure that ideas from the UK’s researchers and innovators will not go to waste.
The Government also says that the UK will remain eligible to participate in other Horizon 2020 schemes as a third country, and that successful bids will be funded by the Government’s existing guarantee.