UK scientists had been shut out of the multibillion-euro scheme amid drawn-out Brexit negotiations.
“This was the final obstacle to participation,” says Kieron Flanagan, who studies science and technology policy at the University of Manchester, UK. “Since continued cooperation in science was a stated political priority for both sides from the beginning, this should be it now.”
“The moment [the agreement] is implemented I’m happy to start immediately right now the work on an association agreement which is the pre-condition to join Horizon Europe,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission in a press conference. “So [it’s] good news for all those working in research and science.”Joining as an associated country requires an annual financial contribution.
Three hurdles remain to rejoining Horizon Europe, says James Wilsdon, who studies science policy at University College London. First is for the United Kingdom’s Conservative government to convince sceptics in its own ranks and in Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party to back the deal in parliament — or to rely on support from opposition parties if it cannot.
“The UK remains open to association to Horizon based on fair and reasonable terms and that the UK will only pay for the period of association to a programme,” said junior treasury minister James Cartlidge in a written response to a question by Labour shadow science minister Chi Onwurah. “Any funding required for association in future years will be made available when there is clarity on UK association to EU programmes.
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