As part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the UK and the EU, the UK will associate to Horizon Europe, subject to formalisation of the association agreement and adoption of the protocols agreed under the EU-UK TCA. Association will give UK scientists, researchers and businesses access to funding under the Programme on equivalent terms as organisations in EU countries. The programme will run from 2021 – 2027 and NI researchers and businesses are strongly encouraged to form collaborative partnerships with international counterparts and to bid into Horizon Europe.
Horizon Europe will keep the same focus on excellent research of its predecessor, Horizon 2020. Funding calls will be based on three main areas, Excellent science, Global challenges & European industrial competitiveness and Innovative Europe.
The work programmes of Horizon Europe outlines the objectives and specific topic areas and despite the UK not having formally associated to the programme, NI researchers and businesses have been able to participate from the start of the programme in 2021 and are encouraged to continue to do so.
Further details are available on the UK government and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) websites:
Horizon Europe Funding – Gov.uk
UK association to Horizon Europe
On 7 September 2023, the UK agreed a deal with the EU to associate to Horizon Europe. UK & NI researchers can now apply for Horizon Europe funding, certain that all successful UK & NI applicants will be covered through the UKs association (or through the guarantee for the remainder of the programme. Programme 2024 will be covered by association, and the UK guarantee scheme will be extended to cover all calls under the Work Programme 2023. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-joins-horizon-europe-under-a-new-bespoke-deal
On 15th November 2023, the Council of the EU announced that they approved the agreement in principle reached between the Commission and the UK Government on 7 September 2023 EU-UK relations: Council gives the go-ahead to UK participation in the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes – Consilium (europa.eu)
On 4th December 2023, the UK and EU signed the bespoke new agreement at an EU-UK Specialised Committee for participation in Union Programmes (SCPUP) finalising the UKs association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus Programmes. Landmark moment for scientists, researchers and businesses as UK association to £80 billion Horizon research programme officially sealed – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A UK-EU agreement explainer for UK Horizon Europe applicants and grant holders has been published by the UK Government providing further detail on eligibility, what association status means, work programme detail and what is included https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/horizon-europe-and-copernicus-programmes-2023-uk-eu-agreement-explainer/horizon-europe-and-copernicus-programmes-2023-uk-eu-agreement-explainer
European Commission have also published a comprehensive Q&A on UK association https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_4373
The guarantee funding which will remain in place for the remainder of 2023 is delivered through UKRI who have published details about eligibility, scope and how to apply https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/apply-for-horizon-europe-guarantee-funding/.
Horizon Europe guarantee: applications and grant offer statistics shows UK and regional level successful participation in the Horizon Europe programme through the UKRI guarantee.
See our NI Horizon Europe news and events pages and follow @HorizonEuropeNI on Twitter to keep up to date on local announcements and events.