Clarity needed on post-Brexit research schemes

UNCERTAINTY over the UK's post-Brexit role in cross-border EU research programmes must end, a new report has said.

The Government needs to clarify the position regarding the Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 initiatives, according to the Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee.

Horizon 2020 is seen as the EU's leading programme for research and innovation, and Erasmus+ provides opportunities for young people and teaching staff to study and work abroad.

The peers note that the Withdrawal Agreement would leave UK participation in 'flagship' programmes largely unchanged before they finish at the end of 2020, but a no deal scenario alters the situation.

The Government has said it would pay for continued access in the event of no deal, but the committee has demanded more details on such a guarantee.

The report stated: "There is an urgent need for greater clarity on how this guarantee would work in practice. The Government must also explain how it would replace major research funding schemes not covered by the guarantee - the European Research Council grants and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions."

The Lords study said it would be difficult for the UK to try and repeat the benefits of participation in such projects if it attempted to do so on its own.

The study said: "The committee found that participation in these programmes provides clear benefits to the UK beyond simply grant funding, including access to networks, connections, and opportunities to collaborate with European partners built over decades of close cooperation.

"It would be a formidable challenge to try to replicate these benefits at a national level."

The committee also called for ministers to make the situation clearer regarding medium term collaboration.

The report said: "The committee urges the Government to confirm whether it will seek full association to the 2021-2027 Erasmus and Horizon Europe programmes as soon as possible, to maximise certainty and stability for UK students and researchers, and to enable them to plan for any changes."

The UK is expected to allocate £1 billion to Erasmus+ between 2014-2020 to support student exchanges, vocational training and other initiatives.

And Britain has received 15.2% of the grants distributed through Horizon 2020, totalling euro 5.7 billion, the report said.

Committee chairman Lord Jay of Ewelme said: "The future availability of EU funds for international mobility and research remains unclear.

"We need to know how, in a 'no deal' scenario, the Government's guarantee to underwrite funding from the Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 programmes would work in practice.

"The Government must also explain how it would replace major Horizon 2020 funding schemes not covered by its guarantee, including the European Research Council grants and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions.

"The UK-EU relationship in the areas of research and innovation and educational mobility must be preserved.

"The UK is a popular destination for exchange placements and a world leader in research, with an exceptionally strong science base.

"We also benefit significantly from participating in the Erasmus and Horizon programmes in terms of grant funding, access to international networks, joint infrastructure, and opportunities to connect and collaborate with European partners built over decades of close cooperation.

"Full association to the forthcoming Erasmus and Horizon programmes is by far the best outcome for UK students and researchers."