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Science minister hails “milestone” in support for international research collaboration
The UK has reached £2 billion in Horizon Europe guarantee funding, hailed by the science minister as a “significant milestone”.
Today, almost a year after the country reached an agreement with the EU on participating in the latter’s research and innovation programme, UK Research and Innovation announced the level of guarantee-backed funding going to UK-based researchers, innovators and businesses.
Launched while the UK was in the process of talks on associating to Horizon Europe, the guarantee programme has been providing support to UK researchers and businesses since November 2021.
The guarantee scheme, operated by UKRI, enabled UK researchers to apply for Horizon Europe funding, certain that all successful applications would be covered through the UK’s association, or through the guarantee, for the remainder of the programme.
‘Shaping a better future’
Science minister Patrick Vallance said: “This is a significant milestone for the UK that demonstrates our unwavering commitment to scientific excellence and international collaboration. The diverse range of projects that have been chosen to receive funding under the Horizon Europe guarantee highlights the incredible potential of UK researchers and innovators to address global challenges and shape a better future.”
In the statement, UKRI highlighted the UK’s ambitions to maintain a leading global role in research and innovation, and to improve its relationship with Europe. “Britain is always stronger when we work with others,” it read.
More than 4,000 grants have been backed under the scheme.