The government is due to hold talks with the European Union about the UK having associate membership of Horizon, the bloc's funding and research programme for science and technology.
Michelle Donelan, the secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, has this week travelled to Brussels for a meeting with her European Commission counterpart Mariya Gabriel. The meeting is understood to be introductory, with any agreement that would give the UK access to the Horizon scheme unlikely to be reached imminently.
Speaking ahead of her trip this afternoon, Donelan stressed that the UK would only sign up to the "right terms". Meanwhile, the government is drawing up an alternative post-Brexit plan for the science and technology sectors if negotiations with Brussels over Horizon fail to produce a deal, which it is expected to publish in the coming days.
“I am determined to ensure our world-class scientists have the very best platform on which to continue their work, with research that transforms the way we live and work, not just here in the UK, but around the world," said Donelan. “I look forward to this introductory meeting with the EU and discussing possible future association with Horizon Europe. But we can only do so on the right terms, and I’m in Brussels… to ensure there is understanding of that on both sides, while taking forward these discussions in a constructive and respectful way.”
