Since January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom has provisionally become an associated country of the Horizon Europe research and innovation program, following the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, after its exit from Europe.

For practical purposes, any UK entity that carries out research work will be eligible to participate in the upcoming Horizon Europe calls, as well as in the Enhanced European Innovation Council (EIC) and European Research Council work programs and the first research calls in COVID-19. However, the UK will not be part of the loan/equity instrument, EIC Fund, which is responsible for research funding and investment.

Therefore, the UK will be able to access the full Horizon Europe program with the exception of the EIC Fund, that is, it will be able to apply for grants, but not for loans or equity. Throughout the process, Horizon Europe will be treated as a partner country, from admission, evaluation, election and grant. In other words, they will have the same rights as all other EU member participants. However, grant agreements can only be signed when the UK-EU partnership enters into force.

Likewise, the United Kingdom may be associated in the EURATOM program -European Atomic Energy Community Research and Training Program- which complements the Horizon Europe program. However, in exceptionally justified cases related to strategic actions, interests, autonomy or security of the European Union, the UK’s participation may be limited.

Finally, the UK will have to make a financial contribution to cover operational and support costs and administrative costs for participation in the Horizon Europe program.

For more information on the UK’s participation in Horizon Europe, please access the following report https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/research_and_innovation/strategy_on_research_and_innovation/documents/ec_rtd_uk-participation-in-horizon-europe.pdf