Horizon Europe update

• Government policy paper: Supporting UK R&D and collaborative research beyond European programmes

The government has stressed that UK researchers should continue to apply for funding under the programmes and that it is ready to formalise association at the earliest opportunity.

If the UK is unable to associate, the government has confirmed that it will continue to fund all remaining eligible, evaluated, and successful UK applications outstanding at that time, including those where grant signature dates fall beyond the end of 2022. This will ensure there is no gap in the Horizon Europe Guarantee funding.

The government has also confirmed that ‘in-flight’ applications to Horizon Europe (unevaluated applications where UK researchers are the sole applicants) will be assessed domestically, if necessary. In addition, it has committed to funding UK participants in collaborative consortia where the participation of non-EU, non-associated ‘third countries’ is possible, and where grant agreements are to be signed before 31 March 2025.

Wider measures, including uplifts to existing talent programmes, innovation support and a Talent and Research Stabilisation Fund, would also be implemented if the UK does not associate to Horizon Europe.  

Further details on a national alternative scheme are expected in the autumn. 

Implications for UCL

We understand there will be questions and concerns across UCL about the implications for our research community and our relationships with our European collaborators, as well as specific in-flight and planned Horizon Europe applications.

We will continue to support our academic community in accessing Horizon Europe and national alternative funding programmes, maintain our long-standing European collaborations, and help to shape any new programmes for the benefit of our community.

UCL has created a high-level Horizon Europe Response Group to coordinate actions we will need to take in response to any future transitional measures. We will provide further updates as the situation develops.

UCL Horizon Europe Grantees and Applicants 

The Horizon Europe Guarantee is articulated very clearly and so we encourage UCL staff to continue to apply for Horizon Europe, including ERC, funding opportunities where appropriate.

We encourage all recent Horizon Europe grantees, as well as those with in-flight applications, and planned applications, to continue liaising with their assigned member of Research and Innovation Services’ European Research and Innovation Office team to discuss the administration of their grants, registration for the UKRI guarantee, and support in the application process. 

If you have not already been in touch with the European Research and Innovation team and are a Horizon Europe grantee, applicant or planned applicant, please email: Kimberly Cornfield (k.cornfield@ucl.ac.uk), Assistant Director (Project Development and Management) and Head of European Research and Innovation.

UCL Horizon Europe Drop-in Sessions 

The European Research & Innovation Office is also holding Horizon Europe online drop-in sessions every Friday from 14:00 - 15:00 to discuss any questions related to UCL's participation in Horizon Europe and the Horizon Europe Guarantee. These are open to both UCL colleagues and external collaborators.

The drop-in sessions will be held on Microsoft Teams and there is no requirement to register in advance. The joining link for the event is available on the homepage of the European Research and Innovation Office website: https://ucl.ac.uk/research/europe.