A delay in joining the European Union’s research and innovation scheme has “damaged the UK’s reputation” in the life sciences field, experts have claimed, with scientists “finding it much harder to bring the brightest and best into their labs”.
The Government was also warned the UK faces a “brain drain” of talent if not made more attractive globally.
Horizon Europe is a collaboration involving Europe’s leading research institutes and technology companies.
It was initially launched in 2021 with a budget of 95.5 billion Euro (£81.8 billion), with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) issuing more than 2,000 grants worth in excess of £1 billion by April 2023.
The Government had negotiated membership of the programme in the Brexit withdrawal agreement but the EU went back on the deal after disputes emerged over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
In June, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology confirmed it “remains in discussion on the UK’s involvement in EU research programmes and hopes that negotiations on Horizon Europe will be successful”.
