The latest from the CBI Innovation team

This summer, the team at the CBI has been involved across major projects in the research and innovation landscape. Find out more about the updates, how they could impact your business, and where you can get involved to ensure your voice is heard.

1. Plan for alternatives to Horizon Europe published
2. Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) established
3. ‘Science and technology superpower: more than a slogan?’ published
4. The Grant Review published
5. The Tickell review published

1. Plan for alternatives to Horizon Europe

In July, the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), released details of transition arrangements to support UK research and innovation in the case of the UK not associating to Horizon Europe.

Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship R&D programme – and with a €95.5bn budget, it’s an important source for long-term public research and innovation funding by:

• Enabling unique collaborative opportunities
• Raising the quality of UK research and innovation
• Giving UK businesses and universities a voice in shaping the international research agenda.

The CBI and our members see association with Horizon Europe as a priority. This is echoed by BEIS’ publication of alternatives, which continues to emphasise the UK government’s preference for association. These include:

• Reiterating that the funding committed to Horizon Europe in the 2021 Spending Review, will be used to fund UK R&D
• Short-term transitional measures like uplifts to existing UK grant funding, talent schemes and continuing access to all Horizon Europe schemes that are open to third country (non-associated) participation
• A high-level overview of what a ‘Plan B’ alternative UK funding programme might look like. This includes investment in end-to-end innovation and the wider R&D system, as well as support for global collaboration.

We anticipate decisions on the future of UK Horizon Europe association being made in early autumn. This will happen alongside increased business engagement on potential UK alternatives programmes. This will be an opportunity for your business