Horizon Europe: Update

International collaboration is an integral part of our research success and impact at UCL. Our colleagues and friends in Europe are important partners and we will always be committed to supporting our researchers in these relationships.

There have been some recent announcements from the UK Government related to the EU's Horizon Europe programme. We outline some more information about these below and how we are responding. We would also like to remind you that UCL researchers continue to have the right to participate in and lead proposals targeting research and innovation funding under the EU's Horizon Europe programme.

Extension of the Horizon Europe Guarantee

On 1 September 2022, the UK Government announced an extension to financial support provided to successful Horizon Europe applicants, to cover all Horizon Europe calls that close on or before 31 December 2022, now including those where grant agreements will be signed after December 2022. 

Eligible successful applicants will receive the full value of their funding at their UK host institution for the lifetime of the grant. Details regarding the scope and terms of the extension are available on the UKRI website.

The guarantee is designed to protect UK-based researchers from the uncertainty associated with continuing delays to UK association to Horizon Europe, and support researchers whether association is confirmed or otherwise. The latest data shows that 202 grants worth £142 million have already been distributed under the scheme, across the UK higher education sector.

If the UK is unable to associate, the government has already confirmed it will continue to fund all remaining eligible, evaluated and successful UK applications at that time.‘In-flight’ applications where UK researchers are the sole applicants will be evaluated domestically if necessary, while the Government will fund UK participation in collaborative consortia open to non-EU, non-associated ‘third countries’, and where grant agreements are to be signed before 31 March 2025.

UCL response

UCL researchers are actively encouraged to continue applying for Horizon Europe funding and to join the European Commission’s annual European Research and Innovation Days online on 28-29 September. To date, 67 UCL Horizon Europe proposals have been selected for funding by the European Commission, totalling ca. £36m, with a competitive success rate of 17%.

If you have questions regarding the guarantee, or an in-flight or planned application, please contact the ERIO team or attend one of the weekly Horizon Europe drop-in sessions. A set of FAQs on Horizon Europe funding is available here.

UK Government launches legal proceedings against the EU

On 16 August 2022, the UK Government also launched legal proceedings against the European Union in an effort to end persistent delays to the formalisation of UK association to Horizon Europe, underlining the UK Government and the UK research community’s continued desire to associate. The 30 day period for ‘formal consultations’ will conclude on 15 September. Further details of a national alternative scheme, to be implemented if association fails, are also expected in the autumn.

UCL response

 UCL has created a high-level Horizon Europe Response Group, chaired by Professor Geraint Rees, which will continue to monitor and communicate developments.  

Further information:

Russell Group response to the extension of the Horizon Europe guarantee: https://russellgroup.ac.uk/news/russell-group-response-to-extension-of-horizon-europe-guarantee/