UK researchers are able to participate in the programme on the same terms as researchers from other associated countries, which means they can lead consortia and have direct access to Horizon Europe funding. This applies from the 2024 Work Programmes and onwards. For calls from the 2023 Work Programmes, the European Commission will continue to implement transitional arrangements and the UK will continue to provide funding under the UK Guarantee. Following this association, UK and EU scientists and researchers can now have confidence in continuing long-term partnerships with their counterparts.

On 4 December 2023, the EU and UK completed the final step towards the UK's association to Horizon Europe. On this occasion, Iliana Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said:

“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. Together, we can push further and faster. I have made association of non-EU countries to Horizon Europe my personal priority, and we are delivering.”

This is a landmark moment for scientific and space collaboration between the EU and the UK, which follows the agreement of the Windsor Framework in 2023. The UK's association to Horizon Europe will deepen the EU's relationship with the UK in research and innovation, bringing together research communities to tackle global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and health.

The European Commission and the UK Government will undertake joint outreach and engagement activities designed to encourage the participation of UK entities in both programmes. These will be advertised on our website.

Background

Horizon Europe is the biggest international research and innovation programme in the world with more than £82 billion (€95.5 billion) of funding available over seven years (2021 to 2027) from the EU budget, to which all associated countries are adding further contributions. It is open to the world, which means that participants can participate in most calls, regardless of where they are based. Researchers from associated countries have even greater access, they can lead projects and receive direct funding from the programme. The programme supports major research and innovation projects and international partnerships helping to tackle global challenges.

Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union's Space programme, looking at our planet and its environment to the benefit of all European citizens. It offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data. Copernicus contributes to delivering the European Green Deal and reaching the net-zero objectives.

Questions & Answers can be found here, as well as in this FAQ

Joint statement by the European Commission and the UK Government on the UK's association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus

UK association to Horizon Europe

UK national contact points for Horizon Europe

EU-funded projects in the UK