UK research funding bounces back after return to Horizon Europe

The UK’s return to the European Union’s key research funding programme following Brexit has reversed a “long-term downward trend” in grant applications and awards, according to a new report.

Universities UK International (UUKi) looked at more than 10 years of UK involvement in the EU’s research schemes, Horizon 2020 and its successor Horizon Europe. A report found that 2024 was the first year since 2016 to show a clear improvement in the number of research awards, projects and funding won by UK organisations.

Researchers said the recovery was linked to the UK officially joining Horizon Europe in 2024, after uncertainty following Brexit.

Universities played the biggest role in the recovery. They made up 67 per cent of all UK participation in 2024, slightly higher than the 65 per cent recorded at the end of Horizon 2020. 

“However, there is still progress to be made for the UK to perform in Horizon Europe at a level which reflects our world-leading universities and expertise,” the authors write in the report. “The recovery is promising, but this momentum must be maintained and built upon given the scale of Horizon Europe budget.”

The report adds that there was an increase in funding received by UK entities across all three pillars of Horizon Europe in 2024. Pillar I, which is focused on scientific research, increased from 8 per cent to nearly 14 per cent between 2023 and 2024. 

But it warns that recovery has been less strong in Pillar II, which focuses on supporting research relating to societal challenges, and Pillar III aimed at making Europe a frontrunner in market-creating innovation.

Researchers said this is partly because those projects take longer to rebuild after years of uncertainty damaged relationships with European partners.

“The UK’s historic performance suggests that we can do more in Pillar II and Pillar III, but the data shows that success in 2024 was not confined to Pillar I,” the authors write. “It now remains to build on this initial recovery and ensure the UK is well-placed to take advantage of collaborative opportunities, and achieve the levels of success of which the UK is capable.”

The report suggests a range of different recommendations for the UK government including giving “early and clear signals” of the UK’s intent to associate to the next framework programme.

Prioritising support for collaborative activity under Pillars II and III and investing in “system‑wide capability and learning from international best practice” are among the other recommendations.  

For universities, it recommends building on the “strong results” of associating with the frameworks by focusing on advocating for its value and also continuing to implement and grow support that fosters participation in Pillars II and III.

seher.asaf@timeshighereducation.com