The Government has confirmed that the Treasury will underwrite funding for approved Horizon 2020 projects applied for before the UK leaves the European Union.
The commitment is intended to provide reassurance to applicants from the UK’s research and innovation base when applying for EU research funding
The Government says the commitment will provide British businesses and universities will have certainty over future funding and should continue to bid for competitive EU funds while the UK remains a member of the EU. The Treasury will underwrite the payment of such awards, even when specific projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU.
The announcement follows government’s commitment in last year’s Spending Review to protect UK science spending in real terms, providing £26.3 billion from April 2016 to April 2021.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said:
“The government’s commitment to our world-leading science and research base remains steadfast. By underwriting the significant Horizon 2020 grants we are showing the extent of our commitment, standing squarely behind our researchers and scientists as they continue working with their European partners to develop new technologies, discover life-saving medicines and pioneer every day innovations that will benefit all hard-working Britons.”
“The UK is world renowned for our contribution to global science and innovation, ranking second in the most recent Global Innovation Index as well as being home to the most productive science base in the G7.”
Horizon 2020 is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation programme aimed at securing Europe’s global competitiveness. With a budget of almost €80 billion between 2014 and 2020, the programme awards funding to the most innovative research ideas to help bring them to market quicker, creating jobs and benefiting the lives of millions around the world through scientific breakthroughs and new technologies.
The UK is a significant contributor to European science and research. Through the programme the UK has secured 15.5 per cent of total funds to date totalling around €2 billion, second out of all participating countries.
A range of UK projects have brought their ideas to market through the programme across a variety of industries , including the water sector.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Börger UK, which has firmly established itself as a leading pump brand since it was set up in Staffordshire in 2004, has moved into bigger, brand-new premises in Shrewsbury.
HUBER Technology UK & Ireland are inviting people to register for their March webinar where they will be providing information about HUBER water intake screens for municipal and industrial applications.
Sulzer has launched a new global Center of Excellence (CoE) for Water Treatment Solutions - the CoE consolidates Sulzer’s wastewater treatment expertise in a unified and global manner.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.