Government paper outlines how continued collaboration in science and innovation is an important part of the UK’s future partnership with the EU
“UK businesses and universities should continue to bid for competitive EU funds while we remain a member of the EU”.
Horizon 2020, the European Commission research and innovation programme, with a budget approx. €80bn over a 7 year period (2014 Р2020), represents a significant opportunity for UK companies to access finance for R&D and innovation.   It provides an opportunity to form collaborations in new supply chains, for SMEs to build relationships with multinational partners and gives a route for businesses to reach new markets, facilitating uptake of new technologies by end users and customers. Indeed, it is often this element of working in EU programmes that companies most value.
The paper outlines the UK’s objectives for an ambitious science and innovation agreement with the EU. It sets out examples of where the UK sees potential mutual benefit in a close working relationship, exploring precedents for each. The paper invites discussion with the EU on how best to shape our future partnership in this area: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sets-clear-objectives-for-continued-science-success.
To date, UK organisations have received over 1.7bn Euro from the Societal Challenges and Industrial Leadership parts of the programme with businesses receiving just short of 40% of this.   In partnership with the National Contact Points and the Enterprise Europe Network, KTN continues to provides support to UK businesses to increase beneficial engagement with and/or in European programmes.
Footnote: Science Minister Jo Johnson reaffirmed UK Government’s underwriting of H2020 funding¬†in July 2017 –
“UK businesses and universities should continue to bid for competitive EU funds while we remain a member of the EU and we will work with the Commission to ensure payment when funds are awarded. The Government will underwrite the payment of such awards, even when specific projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU.”