Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations he has received on researchers being excluded from EU research projects as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU; and if he will provide a breakdown of those representations by academia and industry.

The Government is committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for UK Science and Research as we exit the European Union. Following the referendum we set up a dedicated mailbox (research@beis.gov.uk) to allow academics, researchers and others with an interest to register any issues experienced in engaging with European activities. Since the announcement of the government underwrite of funding, the number of representations received has been low. Stakeholders have largely been in touch to seek clarification – both on the extent of the funding guarantee, and on the eligibility of UK applicants to continue participating in EU research projects after exit – rather than to report cases of discrimination.

The Joint Report, published by the UK and EU negotiating teams on 8th December 2017, and agreed by the European Council, makes clear that, as part of the overall withdrawal agreement, the UK’s right to participate in EU programmes, including Horizon 2020, will be unaffected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. UK based organisations and individuals will be able to bid for funding, participate in and lead consortia for the remainder of the programmes including in 2019 and 2020.