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UK hangs on to place in Europe's science funding program
Emma Keeling and Daniel Harries
Europe;United Kingdom
03:04

 

The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union has fueled fears that the country could be left out of funding schemes for science and research. 

The current picture is mixed, with the UK participating less in some funding schemes while remaining involved in others. 

Concern is mostly focused on the UK's place in Horizon Europe, an umbrella for all the EU's funding programs.

 

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Horizon has around $113 billion to spend over the next seven years. Following Brexit, the UK is an associate member, although the deal which establishes that in principle still awaits EU parliamentary scrutiny.

The deal to keep the UK in the program only came after last-minute government intervention from Westminster, which committed an extra $343 million to certify its position. 

 

Boris Johnson's UK government negotiated Brexit, involving an agreement on the country's access to science funding programs. /Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo

Boris Johnson's UK government negotiated Brexit, involving an agreement on the country's access to science funding programs. /Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo

 

A government statement read that the "investment reinforces the government's commitment to putting research and development at the heart of plans to build back better from the pandemic."

The secretary general of the League of European Research Universities, Professor Kurt Deketelaere, is worried that despite this deal the UK might not have full access to the program.  

Deketelaere notes that discussions are ongoing on "if the UK will be able, in the framework of its association agreement, to participate in space and quantum research" – two research areas that attract significant funding.

 

This article is part of BREXITED: THE FIRST 100 DAYS – a digital show by CGTN Europe. Sign up to the event via the link to watch it on our Facebook page on April 11 at 12 p.m. GMT.

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