Bodies look for UK Government backing against H2020 cuts

Nine leading UK-based research organisations are urging the country’s MEPs and the UK Government to protect the budget of Horizon 2020, and consequently UK research.

In a statement sent to Horizon 2020 Projects, The Royal Society, Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK and Universities UK express concern over the continued funding of research and innovation after financing is transferred from Horizon 2020 to the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI). The document, also signed by The Academy of Medical Science, Association of Medical Research Charities, UK HE International Unit, Guild HE and Parkinson’s UK, said that “research is a vital part to play in keeping Europe healthy and competitive” and stated their concerns over the proposed budget reductions of the European Research Council and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

The organisations said: “We note the European Commission’s intention is for EFSI to also fund research projects. However, there is no formal obligation in place to ensure money taken from Horizon 2020 is channelled back into research and innovation, and we are concerned that many organisations that conduct research – including universities, research funders, research performing organisations, charities and health services – may not be eligible for EFSI funding under the proposed wording. There is therefore a real danger of funding agreed for research being diverted to other purposes.

“EFSI is supposed to be of great benefit to the real economy. However, research is a prerequisite for innovation, without research the pipeline to innovation is cut off. Research must be publicly funded in an appropriate way and any cuts to Horizon 2020 will result in a performance loss for the whole European research and innovation system.”

The organisations are calling on UK MEPs to support the overturn of budget cuts to Horizon 2020, provide a “formal guarantee” that suitable EFSI funding will be focused on research and innovation and ensure that funding for research and innovation “will be allocated competitively and on the basis of excellence”.