What EU’s Horizon scheme means for UK research and innovation
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak takes part in a science experiment as he visits the Friendship Technology Preparatory High School during his trip to Washington, Wednesday,
By Osama Rizvi, economist
Published on 30/01/2024 – 06:00
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Horizon Europe is a scheme that provides a platform for a global research collaboration and has the potential to innovate breakthrough design and solution to the ongoing global challenges.
Despite continuing competition in technological advancement, Horizon Europe can be seen as a golden opportunity for scientists and researchers with a huge funding programme and a budget of €95.5 billion, administered by the EU itself. The scheme provides a platform for a global research collaboration and has the potential to innovate breakthrough design and solution to the ongoing global challenges. It brings with it a chance to look beyond the economic and sociopolitical differences and could lead to a cohesive union of great minds.
The proposed timeline of this programme is between 2021 and 2027 aims at focusing on bolstering the ideals of innovation, research and scientific findings at a global level.
The scheme has been divided into three “pillars” to encompass a wide range of innovative activities.
Pillar 1 focuses on the fundamentals of research specifically strengthening the European infrastructure of research. The European Research Council & Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) play a significant role in this domain.
Pillar 2 is structured to administer research and innovation in the challenging areas such as culture, health, climate energy, space, civil security, food, natural resources and agriculture.
Pillar 3 aims at creating new markets by supporting start-ups and SMEs being administered by the European Innovation Council (EIC). The EIC not only provides funding but also paves way for networking opportunities.
The last segment of the programme – “Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area” – is aimed at reducing the inter-countries innovation disparities by providing equal opportunity for all the European state.
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What is its potential?
The Horizon Europe Scheme has the potential to not only introduce the groundbreaking innovation within the European region but also to provide diverse approaches to global challenges. On an individual level, the scheme successfully ensures the engagement of EU’s reservoir of talent by providing investment and funding to the best of ideas and minds.
After identifying the already existing limitations of traditional research models, the Horizon Europe scheme envisions promoting multidisciplinary collaboration between various groups of society, including policymakers, scientists, researchers, academia and civil society. This practical approach is driven by the ideal of impactful outcomes that can successfully contribute in chalking a prosperous and a sustainable world.
What about the benefits for the UK?
By linking up with the EU over the Horizon Europe Scheme, the UK has successfully included itself as an associate member.
According to the European Commission, UK researchers will, through this scheme, have access to scheme funding and will be able to benefit from research and development (R&D) collaboration opportunities, as listed in the programme. The UK will therefore be able to deepen its ties not only with European states but will also be able to bolster its partnership with the academic and business sectors of other developed and developing countries.
What does rejoining EU’s Horizon scheme mean for UK research and innovation?
After going through the unreal setting of 2020 pandemic, this global collaboration can provide a broader stage for UK researchers to observe, understand and address various scientific and research limitations, possibly leading to breakthrough discoveries and innovations. The life-changing contribution should mean the UK’s healthcare and technological sectors can be revolutionised and result in improved economic prospect and opportunities.
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Through this platform, the UK should be able to attract talent from around the globe and secure its position in the R&D sector, leading to new avenues and pathways. It is worth observing that, in the Horizon 2020 programme, almost 2000 UK businesses received €1.4 billion, with SMEs receiving more than €840m thereby ensuring wider job opportunities around the country.
Such international cooperative research means that the UK should be able to carve out a better position for itself on the international stage by being better equipped in terms of global competition.
By tapping into the reservoir of money and resources, the UK can open up to strengthened international collaborations, enhanced technological development and innovative scientific research.
