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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support researchers whose funding offers have been revoked due to delays in EU approval of UK participation in Horizon Europe.

The UK stands ready to formalise our association to EU programmes at the earliest opportunity, but disappointingly there have been persistent delays from the EU.

In order to provide reassurance, the Government has already committed to support the first wave of successful UK applicants to Horizon Europe who are unable to sign grant agreements with the EU due to these delays.

This guarantee, delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will enable awardees to receive the full value of their funding.

The Government will monitor the situation closely and is keeping all measures, including the guarantee, under constant review.

We encourage the UK sector to continue applying to Horizon Europe calls and to continue forming consortia.

Further information on how to apply and technical guidance is on the UKRI website.