The UK’s association to Horizon Europe must be implemented now.

European Union’s research and innovation community representing over 1,000 universities, 56
academies of science and 33 rectors’ associations, as well as thousands of Europe’s most
distinguished researchers, call for the European Commission and President Ursula von der Leyen
to finalise the United Kingdom’s association to Horizon Europe immediately.

The success of Horizon Europe hinges on its commitment to excellence and global outlook. The
European Union and the UK share a long history of close and trusted collaboration in research and
innovation. This has provided enormous benefits to excellent research, resulting in countless
collaborations to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, boosting competitiveness and
growth.

Based on the provision in Protocol I of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement for the UK to
associate to Horizon Europe and the subsequent Q&A document from the Commission, for the past
10 months universities, European researchers and research institutions have been working with UK
partners with a shared vision and in good faith that the UK would soon be a full associate member to
Horizon Europe.

However, the absence of a clear timeline for finalising UK association is now causing increasing
concern and uncertainty which risks endangering current and future plans for collaboration. It also
sends unhelpful signals to other third countries wishing to associate.

The signatories of the joint statement urge the Commission and UK Government for swift and decisive
action to avoid further delays or even non-association which would result in a major weakening of our
collective research strength and competitiveness.