Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe is the EU’s funding programme for research and innovation, with a total budget of €95.5 billion.
Horizon Europe builds upon previous European research frameworks, most recently Horizon 2020.
The UK has now formally associated with Horizon Europe. This allows UK researchers to regain leadership roles in Horizon Europe projects and have confidence in future funding.
UK researchers will be able to fully participate in the Horizon Europe programme on the same terms as researchers from other associated countries, including leading consortia, from the 2024 Work Programmes and onwards – including any 2024 calls which opened in 2023.
The joint statement from the European Commission and the UK government summarises the effect of this long-awaited outcome from negotiations.
Formal association to Horizon Europe provides the certainty that the higher education sector (in the UK and overseas) has been seeking and provides confidence that funding is available for the remainder of Horizon Europe.
The UK is now in a stronger position within consortia as UK researchers can lead projects. The arrangements support greater researcher mobility. The UK now counts towards the minimum number of countries required to meet eligibility rules for consortium-based projects. Contracting and reporting are simplified because the UK is now participating on the same terms as other Associated Countries.
DSIT
Some elements of the ‘Pioneer Programme’ (the UK’s plan B if association did not happen) are likely to shape future research strategy and may become complementary to Horizon Europe rather than an alternative. DSIT is also supporting the building back of the UK’s participation.
Scope
The UK’s association applies to all three Pillars of Horizon Europe, plus research infrastructures and to Copernicus - the Earth observation programme. Association does not apply to Euratom.
Funding arrangements
| Successful applicants to calls by year | Funding provider |
|---|---|
| 2021, 2022 or 2023 calls | UK participation is funded by the UK Government Guarantee for the project/fellowship duration |
| 2024 calls and later | Projects will be funded by the European Commission |
You can check which set of rules your project falls under by looking at the call’s call identification (ID) number. If the ID includes “2023”, the call is part of the 2023 Work Programme and will be covered by the UK Government Guarantee. If the call ID includes “2024”, the call will be part of the 2024 Work Programme funded by the European Commission.
The Government explains the arrangements and regularly provides updates on the UK Association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes guidance page.
Visit our dedicated Horizon Europe events page to learn more about the UK’s association to Horizon Europe, the 2024 available opportunities and the archives.
Exceptions
The UK's association does not extend to Euratom. Instead, £650m of UK funding will be used to support UK research, including international collaborations.
There are a very small number of calls with restrictions on which countries can participate. The UK will work collaboratively with the EU on determining the UK’s role (if any) in these. For example, some calls with significant security/defence issues and for a limited part of the European Innovation Council's investment portfolio.
Horizon structure
Horizon Europe isn’t limited to European and Associated Countries - there are opportunities for Low and Middle-Income countries to participate with funding, including the Africa Initiative
The UK funding guarantee
For calls between 2021-2023, the University could participate in Horizon Europe applications with the same rights and on the same terms as EU participants. However, UK participants cannot sign grant agreements or act as formal co-ordinators, nor receive EU funding. The UK introduced measures to protect the UK's involvement until formal association took place. A guarantee of UK funding is in place for all successful applications submitted (to 2021, 2022 and 2023 calls) involving the UK. RGO and Faculty research support teams can help with arrangements for drawing down this funding.
Further information
- Introducing Horizon Europe.
- Full information about calls is available in the Work Programmes for each area of Horizon Europe and via the portal.
- UKRO’s digest emails are a valuable and accessible resource containing the latest news and events.
- Read the joint statement by the UK and Commission.
- UK Gov press release following signature of association agreement.
- EC Q&A on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus.
- Learn about Open Access in Horizon Europe.