European Science Academy Presidents and Nobels call for swift association to Horizon

First published in the Times. 

Sir, the potential resolution of the problem of the Northern Ireland protocol (“UK and EU set for Northern Ireland Brexit deal”, February 1) must be quickly followed by other elements of the Brexit deal. Among those priorities is securing association for the UK to the EU’s research funding programmes, including Horizon Europe. It is more than two years since the deal was agreed – two years of delays that have damaged science across Europe. The Government has steadfastly repeated its commitment to association and it is widely recognised as a win for the UK and the EU. The sooner the UK fully rejoins the EU’s international research programmes the better for everyone.

Roberto Antonelli, President, Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Italy

Alain Fischer, President, Académie des sciences, France

Gerald Haug, President, National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany

Paul Nurse, Nobel Laureate

Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, Nobel Laureate

Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel Laureate

Adrian Smith, President, Royal Society, UK