The United Kingdom will officially become an associated country of the Horizon Europe programme, the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation, from 1 January 2024, the European Commission announced on Monday.
Nearly four years to the day since the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union without a deal – thereby renouncing its participation in the programme – the UK will once again benefit from Horizon's leading research and innovation on issues such as climate change, sustainable development and boosting economic competitiveness.
The final step towards achieving this goal was completed on Monday after the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes adopted the political agreement on the UK's association with Horizon Europe and the Copernicus component of the Space Programme.
"I am happy to welcome the UK back to the Horizon family. This is a real milestone, a clear win-win for both sides and for global scientific progress," said Iliana Ivanova, the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth in a statement.
"Together, we can push further and faster. I have made the association of non-EU countries to Horizon Europe my personal priority, and we are delivering," Ivanova concluded.
The UK will contribute around €2.43 billion per year on average to the EU budget for its participation in Horizon Europe, and roughly €154 million for participation to Copernicus space programme.
