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How the UK and EU Did a Deal over Horizon Europe

How the UK and EU Did a Deal over Horizon Europe

The UK now has guarantees that it won't have to make more than a 16% net contribution to Horizon Europe, according to UK and EU sources, a reassurance that has allowed today's deal to go ahead. Since February, negotiators have been locked in discussions over a technical part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), agreed back in 2020 setting out post-Brexit relations, including what the UK will pay for association.

Ivanova's To-do List: Time to Lay the Foundations for the Next EU Research Programme

Ivanova's To-do List: Time to Lay the Foundations for the Next EU Research Programme

Pending Parliament's approval, Iliana Ivanova will take the reins as commissioner for research, innovation and education later this month. With European elections due in June 2024, interest groups in Brussels now want her to look beyond what will be a short tenure and focus on the first phases of shaping the next EU research framework programme, due to start in 2028.

Work on Creating a Single European Market for Research Enters the Next Phase

Work on Creating a Single European Market for Research Enters the Next Phase

Work has started on the 2025 - 2027 policy agenda of the European Commission's ERA Forum for Transition, the expert group set up to shape the European Research Area (ERA) and create a borderless, single market for research, science and technology.

Evidence-based Politics:  WHO and the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Evidence-based Politics:  WHO and the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) Sign Memorandum of Understanding

The MoU has three key areas: technical support to promote evidence-based laws and policies aligned to WHO normative guidance, advocacy to mobilize parliamentarians on awareness raising for sexual and reproductive health, with particular support to low- and middle-income countries, capacity building to strengthen the way WHO and parliamentarians work together.

Back to School: What's on the European Research and Innovation Policy Agenda This Autumn

Back to School: What's on the European Research and Innovation Policy Agenda This Autumn

After a summer of fun, the EU research and policy bubble is back in business and bracing for a busy run up to Christmas: a new research commissioner, negotiations on the EU's ambitions to be a leader in critical technologies and (hopefully) a much-anticipated final sprint for UK association to Horizon Europe.

Bans, Flagships, and a Green Pivot: The State of EU-China Research Relations

Bans, Flagships, and a Green Pivot: The State of EU-China Research Relations

China's involvement in Horizon Europe is becoming increasingly restricted to environment-focused and basic research, but is still holding up despite geopolitical headwinds and the disruption to face-to-face contact caused by the pandemic.

Shortage of Funding and Lack of Scale Are Holding Back EU Industrial Policy

Shortage of Funding and Lack of Scale Are Holding Back EU Industrial Policy

Since March 2020 the European Commission has been making moves to improve Europe’s industrial competitiveness. Experts say things are moving in the right direction, but warn there is not enough money or enough focus on scaling up.

EU Commission Announces Plan to Improve Working Conditions for Young Researchers

EU Commission Announces Plan to Improve Working Conditions for Young Researchers

The European Commission has announced three new measures aimed at improving career paths and working conditions for young researchers in the European Research Area (ERA). The proposal, put forward today by the Commission, includes a new European framework for research careers, a new charter for researchers and a new European competence framework for researchers.

Researching the Future: Head of the EU Research Directorate Has a Plan for Shaping the 2028 - 2034 Framework Programme 10

Researching the Future: Head of the EU Research Directorate Has a Plan for Shaping the 2028 - 2034 Framework Programme 10

Marc Lemaître, recently installed as head of the EU research directorate, is ready to lead the charge as the European Commission starts laying the foundations for the next Framework research programme. 

European Commission Proposes Loosening Rules for Gene-edited Plants

European Commission Proposes Loosening Rules for Gene-edited Plants

Bid to boost agricultural innovation faces skeptics in the European Parliament.

Spanish EU Presidency to Spearhead Strategic Direction for Research and Innovation Policy

Spanish EU Presidency to Spearhead Strategic Direction for Research and Innovation Policy

Europe, closer: with that statement of intent Spain has kicked off its six-month stint leading the EU. For science this means a focus on expanding the reach of research and innovation and at the same time advancing with North Africa and Latin America.

'A Huge Relief': Scientists React to Hopes of UK Rejoining EU Horizon Scheme

'A Huge Relief': Scientists React to Hopes of UK Rejoining EU Horizon Scheme

Scientists including the physicist Brian Cox have reacted with a mixture of caution, anger and relief that the UK appears set to rejoin the EU’s flagship £85bn Horizon science research programme after a protracted Brexit row.

Brussels' Research Bubble Has High Hopes for New Commissioner Nominee

Brussels' Research Bubble Has High Hopes for New Commissioner Nominee

Research policy experts are breathing a sigh of relief that Brussels is about to get a new research commissioner who has credentials suggesting she's up to the task, after the European Commission president picked Iliana Ivanova to take over the running of the EU's €95.5 billion Horizon Europe R&D programme. Ivanova is a Bulgarian member of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and a former member of the European Parliament. Her experience as an EU auditor is seen as a positive sign.

Head of ERC: "Put More Money into Basic Research to Stop the Brain Drain from Eastern Europe"

Head of ERC: "Put More Money into Basic Research to Stop the Brain Drain from Eastern Europe"

The EU should double its budget for research to increase the scientific capital of the EU13 countries in the east and stop Europe from falling further behind the US and China, European Research Council (ERC) president Maria Leptin tells Science|Business after a visit to Slovenia and Croatia. The aim should be to help countries in eastern Europe to attract talent to emerging research clusters, helping to bridge the divide with the world class research systems in western Europe.

An EU Landmark for AI Governance

An EU Landmark for AI Governance

A groundbreaking draft law adopted with overwhelming majority by the European Parliament provides a glimpse into the future of governance of artificial intelligence.

China's Quantum Leap - Made in Germany

China's Quantum Leap - Made in Germany

Germany's oldest university hosts many scientists conducting groundbreaking work. Little did they know how they would become entangled in China's quantum military strategy. 

Horizon Europe Can Only Flex So Far Before It Reaches Breaking Point

Horizon Europe Can Only Flex So Far Before It Reaches Breaking Point

It’s likely the European Commission will dip into the research programme’s budget for its new sovereignty fund – and this won’t be the first time money has been diverted to other causes. Flexibility to respond to changing circumstances is important, but when is enough, enough?

Commission Puts Forward €13.6B Research Budget for 2024, with €12.8B for Horizon Europe

Commission Puts Forward €13.6B Research Budget for 2024, with €12.8B for Horizon Europe

The European Commission wants the EU to spend a total €13.6 billion on research and innovation next year, with €12.8 billion going to Horizon Europe. That is €400M more for the research programme than 2023, but in the face of rampant inflation the European Parliament doesn't see this as a major increase.

EU Council's 'No Pay' Publishing Model Draws Mixed Response

EU Council's 'No Pay' Publishing Model Draws Mixed Response

EU ministers have called for a ‘no pay’ academic-publishing model that bears no cost to readers or authors. Some academics have welcomed the proposed plans - but publishing industry representatives warn they are unrealistic.

EU and US Hatch Transatlantic Plan to Rein in ChatGPT

EU and US Hatch Transatlantic Plan to Rein in ChatGPT

The EU is calling on companies to join an international push to self-regulate generative artificial intelligence (AI) products such as ChatGPT, the chatbot launched last November that can write essays, engage in philosophical conversations and write computer code.

Switzerland Announces €625M in Backup Funding for Horizon Europe Applicants

Switzerland Announces €625M in Backup Funding for Horizon Europe Applicants

The Swiss Federal Council has announced €625 million in grants for researchers to participate this year in Horizon Europe and other EU programmes, such as Euratom, ITER and Digital Europe. Switzerland is not an associated country in Horizon Europe and is currently locked out of other EU programmes as well, which means Swiss researchers have no access to funding from the European Commission. However, they can participate in about two thirds of Horizon Europe calls, provided they have their own money.

Mixed Reception for Vestager As Temporary Stand-In at Research

Mixed Reception for Vestager As Temporary Stand-In at Research

The news that Commission vice president Margrethe Vestager will temporarily take over the innovation and research portfolio following the departure of commissioner Mariya Gabriel has been met with mixed feelings.

Despite Risks, EU Continues to Fund Research with Chinese Military-linked Universities

Despite Risks, EU Continues to Fund Research with Chinese Military-linked Universities

Despite efforts to prevent EU technology leaking to China's military, the European Commission is continuing to fund at least five research projects involving some of China's top military-linked universities.

London and Brussels Still Haggling over Horizon Europe Association

London and Brussels Still Haggling over Horizon Europe Association

With negotiations on the UK's association to Horizon Europe still ongoing, the UK government is looking for ways to ensure the smallest possible gap between how much money it will be putting into the programme and how much UK-based researchers get back.