Royal Society response to the publication of Supporting UK R&D and Collaborative Research Beyond European Programmes

In response to the publication of Supporting UK R&D and Collaborative Research Beyond European Programmes, Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said:

“Today’s announcement provides some much-needed short-term reassurance. Protecting and stabilising UK science is clearly a Government priority, but transition arrangements, no matter how robust, are only a stopgap. It is reassuring that longer term alternatives, should they be needed, are also being developed.

“We have always been very clear that association to Horizon Europe is the best outcome for science in the UK and Europe. The Government’s continued commitment to Horizon, as well as association to Euratom and Copernicus, is incredibly important. Now is the time for all parties to find a resolution to the impasse on scientific collaboration.

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to sharing and consulting with the science community on alternative plans. Should it be necessary, a new collaborative research programme must be clear, credible, and costed. The community will need to see full detail on how Government will invest the £2 billion a year in UK R&D if we do not associate.

“Decades of scientific collaboration have brought economic, health and cultural benefits to people right across Europe, these must be preserved. Today’s publication reaffirms the Government’s commitment to its manifesto pledges to invest in science and maintain the UK’s world leading position in research and innovation. We look forward to the ongoing support of the UK’s next Prime Minister.”