Brexit risks to higher education in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s universities, which have been essential to maintaining the peace process on the island, are severely threatened by Brexit, according to a report.

Higher education has contributed to economic competitiveness and social cohesion across the island of Ireland, and the UK government must replace any funds lost by Brexit, a report by the cross-border Royal Irish Academy published on 4 December says.

These activities are currently supported by specific EU funding programmes, such as the Interreg programme—which funds research infrastructure such as science parks, start-ups and applied research laboratories—and the PEACE programme—which funds social-inclusion activities—but that Northern Ireland may no longer be able to access after the UK withdraws from the European Union.