The European Stakeholder Group has issued a joint statement calling for clarity on the United Kingdom’s association to Horizon Europe as soon as possible. A formalisation of the UK's involvement and access to the Horizon Europe programme has not yet taken place following the UK's departure from the European Union.

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion. It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact. Legal entities from the EU and associated countries can participate.

Protocol I of the 'EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement' was for the UK to associate to Horizon Europe. This was supported by the European Stakeholder Group and EU health
research organisations have been working with UK partners on the understanding that they would shortly become full associate members. However, a lack of a clear timeline on formalising UK association is causing serious concern among researchers, innovators and scientific experts.

BIVDA has put forward its support for the joint statement, which has also been co-signed by organisations such as the BMA, Wellcome Trust, Nanotechnology Industry Association and EURORDIS - Rare Diseases Europe. The letter says that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of global partnerships to advance scientific discovery, medical research, innovation and clinical trial efforts.

"Knowledge and discovery do not stop at borders: the shared global challenges we face require joint solutions. Collaboration through the research framework programmes is a springboard to productive partnerships across the world", according to the joint statement.

A PDF copy of the European Stakeholder Group's joint statement can be found here.