In August the UK Government announced it would guarantee successful Horizon 2020 (H2020) bids made prior to Brexit, even if the project continues beyond the date that the UK exits the EU, and is finally signed after the date of the UK’s exit.
This week the Chancellor of the Exchequer, RT Hon Philip Hammond MP sought to give similar reassurances to businesses and other organisations, who may be considering bidding for EU funds to support multi-year projects.
Addressing the Conservative Party Conference this week, Mr Hammond said:
“The Treasury will offer a guarantee to bidders whose projects meet UK priorities and value for money criteria … that if they secure multi-year EU funding before we exit … we will guarantee those payments after Britain has left the EU.”
This announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer may act to further reassure universities in their efforts to secure EU funding. Ongoing collaborative research with EU partners will be essential in maintaining our profile when it is time to negotiate for active participation in European research and development programmes, post-Brexit.
Mr Hammond also announced:
“…£22m of support to tech innovation; £100m to extend the biomedical catalyst fund… And a further £120m to nurture the tech transfer offices that put universities and entrepreneurs together to get the science from the lab into the factory.”
Whilst we await further information on the detail of these latest announcements, it is business as usual for EU H2020 proposals and projects, including bid support, contracts and finance.
The EU Office, part of Research and Innovation Services, is dedicated to supporting and assisting research staff in accessing European funding. Please contact the team on [email protected] or 023 8059 8561.