The UK government is trying to strengthen its science and technology ties with the European Union, revealing new plans to enhance cooperation and drive innovation
The decision to take these steps comes after a visit to Brussels by the UK Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who held talks with key European Commissioners.
What is the UK’s overall goal?
The UK wants to improve its participation in Horizon Europe and join new European research initiatives.
Horizon Europe is the world’s most extensive research and innovation program, so joining these new initiatives could have a massive impact on tackling global challenges and advancing the UK’s economic growth.
A key part of this new plan is the renewed commitment to Horizon Europe, which funds collaborative research projects across the EU.
The UK’s long-term commitment and participation in Horizon Europe have always been promising. Under the latest European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grants, British researchers have hosted 18 projects, the second-highest number among participating nations.
UK furthering its involvement with Horizon Europe
The UK government is now focused on building on this success by increasing its presence and involvement in Horizon Europe through a nationwide advertising campaign promoting the program’s benefits.
This advertising campaign will use real-world examples, such as Nava Innovation’s development of tidal energy turbines and Electra Commercial Vehicles’ advancements in electric trucks, to demonstrate the real impacts of Horizon Europe funding on businesses and researchers across the UK.
The UK is also joining four European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs), which will increase collaboration opportunities.
These consortia cover many research areas, including historical research, heritage science, astronomy, and advanced river system studies. Membership in these ERICs shows the UK’s commitment to developing a better partnership with European institutes and researchers, setting the country as a key player in international science and technology advancements.
Stronger research links
The UK hopes to promote stronger research links with the EU at an important time. The EU spends more than €380 billion annually on research and development and fosters strong connections between some of the UK’s brightest minds. Europe will be important in addressing shared global challenges.
These include pressing issues like climate change, public health, and economic growth. By working with European researchers, the UK hopes to use the full potential of scientific breakthroughs, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, life science, and clean energy.
Plan for Change
The UK’s “Plan for Change” is one of the main drivers behind this new push. It hopes to rebuild the economy by promoting innovation and advancing world-class research.
Close cooperation with European allies on emerging technologies, such as AI, is essential for the UK to stay competitive globally. For example, the UK’s involvement in the EuroHPC Joint Overtaking, which focuses on developing world-class supercomputing infrastructures, is a testament to the shared ambition to lead cutting-edge technologies.
Taking full advantage of Horizon Europe
The government is also offering various resources and opportunities to support UK businesses and researchers in fully utilizing Horizon Europe.
This also includes roadshows, networking events, and Pump Priming grants designed to help researchers for consortia and develop high-quality project applications.
Innovative UK will also support various events in Italy, Germany, and Spain. These events will help UK researchers connect with potential European partners and improve their chances of securing Horizon Europe funding.
