Unease grows over Horizon Europe delay

Researchers still applying for EU programme’s funding even as fears rise over UK access

University leaders have expressed “real concern” over continued delays to the UK’s membership of Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship €95.5 billion (£81bn) R&D programme, amid reports that outright cancellation of the deal that should give researchers access is now on the cards.

“We are concerned about it because Horizon Europe plays a key role in our research strategy,” Colin Riordan, vice-chancellor of Cardiff University, told Research Fortnight. “We cannot mitigate the risk as a university or even by working with the Welsh government because the sums involved are far too large.”