Bespoke deal to join Horizon Europe will boost UK research and innovation
The UK Government has announced that from 7 September UK scientists will have access to the world’s largest research collaboration programme after a three-year hiatus.
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion.
The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research while tackling global challenges. Its current five missions include mitigating climate change, beating cancer, restoring ocean and waters, climate-neutral smart cities, and the transition towards healthy soils.
Alongside these missions, Horizon Europe supports the creation and better dispersal of knowledge and technologies alongside providing critical infrastructure for research and innovation, including its EuroHPC scheme
This, in turn, creates jobs, better engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.
Membership of Horizon Europe will give UK companies and research institutions unrivalled opportunities to lead global work around the development of new technologies and research projects, in areas from health to AI. This will not only open up cooperation with the EU, but also Norway, New Zealand, and Israel, which are all part of the programme – as well as countries like Korea and Canada which are looking to join, too.
Crucially, UK researchers will be able to lead consortia in the next work programme of Horizon Europe projects.
The new bespoke deal means that the UK will not pay for the period in which UK researchers have been excluded (since 2021), with costs starting from January 2024. This additional breathing space should boost the participation of UK researchers in open calls for grants before we start paying into the programme.
The full Government release can be found here.
techUK has previously called for the UK to join Horizon Europe with the aim of removing uncertainty for UK research and innovation whilst opening pathways for collaboration.
In response to the announcement that the UK will join Horizon Europe, techUK CEO Julian David has said:
The UK’s association with Horizon Europe is a welcome and important milestone for the scientific community. The Horizon Europe project has been integral in fostering groundbreaking research, technological advancements, and international partnerships. With the UK’s joining, we can look forward to seeing our talented scientists and researchers making an even more vibrant and impactful collaboration to address the world’s most pressing challenges, from the climate crisis to healthcare innovation. This important partnership will help supercharge UK research and innovation in the years to come.
Julian David
techUK
Horizon Europe info days
The Horizon Europe info days give to prospective applicants and other stakeholders of EU research and innovation the opportunity to get information and ask questions about the main funding instruments.
You can register for these upcoming days now:
- Cluster 2 - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Societies
- Cluster 4 - Digital, Industry and Space
- Cluster 5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility
- Cluster 6 - Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment
techUK – Supercharging UK Tech and Innovation
The opportunities of innovation are endless. Automation, IoT, AI, Edge, Quantum, Drones and High Performance Computing all have the power to transform the UK. techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and supercharge the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Katherine Holden
Head of Data Analytics, AI and Digital ID, techUK
Katherine joined techUK in May 2018 and currently leads the Data Analytics, AI and Digital ID programme.
Prior to techUK, Katherine worked as a Policy Advisor at the Government Digital Service (GDS) supporting the digital transformation of UK Government.
Whilst working at the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) Katherine led AMRC’s policy work on patient data, consent and opt-out.
Katherine has a BSc degree in Biology from the University of Nottingham.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2019
Read lessmore
Laura Foster
Head of Technology and Innovation, techUK
Laura is techUK’s Head of Programme for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
Read lessmore
Sue Daley
Director, Technology and Innovation
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue
Read lessmore
Carmine Greusard-Deffeuille
Policy Manager, AI & Digital Ethics, techUK
Carmine is techUK’s Policy Manager for Artificial Intelligence & Digital Ethics. She joined the organisation in January 2023.
She formerly worked for Public Affairs consultancies, advising clients in tech, defence, financial services and the creative industries. Carmine also previously worked in the News Review section of the Sunday Times.
Carmine holds a BA in History from University College London, where she focussed on war and political history, as well as the history of philosophy. She was elected at the UCL Students’ Union and held the position of Politics Editor at the student paper.
More personally, Carmine is a literature and music fan, and rarely misses an opportunity to discuss politics and current affairs.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmine-greusard-deffeuille/
Read lessmore
Rory Daniels
Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Read lessmore
Amelie Soares
Tech & Innovation Intern, techUK
Amelie joined techUK in May 2023 as Tech and Innovation Intern.
She is involved in the events program and working groups exploring technologies including AI, Cloud Computing, Digital ID, and emerging innovations including Quantum and Metaverse. She is working closely with members and stakeholders and is responsible for supporting teams with program-related admin tasks.
Amelie has a degree in Digital Society (BA) from Maastricht University and is currently pursuing a degree in Digital Tech and Policy (MPA) at University College London, where she is gaining an in-depth understanding of how technology and policy intersect and how to effectively navigate this intersection.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- linkedin.com/in/amelie-soares-b10224203
Read lessmore