Academia and industry on the Humber has welcomed the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ’s return to the European research programme.
A deal has been agreed between the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ and the European Commission to allow researchers to bid into the £95 billion Horizon Europe fund, a programme encouraging the use of excellent science to meet global challenges, industrial competitiveness and innovation.
Improved financial terms of association have been announced, with applications opening immediately. The loss of access through Brexit had been highlighted as a potential barrier to the region’s º£½ÇÊÓÆµ ambitions on Net Zero by Prof Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull in his first weeks in the role almost a year ago.
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Today he said: “We warmly welcome the announcement of an agreement for º£½ÇÊÓÆµ participation. Our renewed association with Horizon Europe is tremendous news for us at the University of Hull, for universities across the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ and for the European research community. Collaborative research is key to tackling global challenges and improving lives and this announcement is essential to progress.
“Horizon funds a broad range of research, including into cancer, artificial intelligence, food and energy safety. These are all pressing societal issues. They underpin the University of Hull’s research focus and will contribute to our future success as a research intensive institution.
“A major focus for the University of Hull is tackling climate change, and we also welcome today’s news the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ will also once more be a part of Copernicus, Europe’s earth observation satellite programme. This has been crucial in monitoring this summer’s weather events, including wildfires across Europe.
“Access to Horizon and Copernicus couldn’t be more important, and we welcome the work of the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ Government to ensure this important step forward.”
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Brexit’s impact together with the cost of living crisis weighing heavily on the public purse had seen red flags lifted by the academic community, with Prof Petley raising his at The Waterline summit last October.
Beckie Hart, CBI Yorkshire and Humber director, said: “Collaboration on research and innovation with the EU is key to boosting the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ’s competitiveness, driving long-term sustainable growth and tackling global challenges such as climate change.
“Today’s confirmation that the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ and EU have signed a deal on the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ’s participation in Horizon Europe unlocks access to the €95.5bn programme, giving a much-needed boost to º£½ÇÊÓÆµ innovators and adding further credibility to the Government’s ambition for the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ to be a science and innovation superpower.
“Alongside many universities in the region, the CBI has long pushed for a deal for the benefit of its members, so it’s good to see the Government following our calls. With all eyes rightly focused on boosting the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ’s economic productivity to mitigate the current high-cost environment, the CBI will look to play its part by working closely with the Government and wider research sector to ensure the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ can get the best value for money from the programme.”
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan said: "Today is a fantastic day for º£½ÇÊÓÆµ science and our whole economy. We have listened to the sector, and through hard work and negotiation we have secured an excellent deal for researchers, taxpayers and businesses.
"The Horizon programme is unrivalled in its scope and opens up a world of opportunity for cooperation on science that delivers real-world benefits for the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ - creating jobs, boosting our economy and opening up collaboration for the sector with some of our closest partners, whether on tackling climate change or advancing cancer research.
"This deal is a crucial step forward on our mission to become a science and tech superpower by 2030."