Research Active The Newsletter of University of Kent Research Services, Vol 11, Issue 2, Feb 2017
BONFIRE OF THE SANITIES What does Brexit mean for EU research funding? Since the EU Referendum last year, there has been a lot of uncertainty about what it will mean for UK academics. In this edition of RA, we look at known unknowns, and why European funding is crucial to the University— and the UK as a whole. Current Situation The EU has made it clear that, until the UK actually leaves the Union, it is still a full Member State, with all ‘rights and obligations’: ‘UK legal entities [are eligible] to participate and receive funding in Horizon 2020 actions,’ it confirmed. The UK government has backed this up: ‘the referendum result has no immediate effect on those applying to or participating in Horizon 2020. UK participants can continue to apply to the programme in the usual way.’ Similarly, the Research Councils are ‘encourag[ing] researchers to continue to engage with partners in the EU and with European funding schemes as normal…We are working with Government to ensure that the concerns and needs of UK researchers are represented and are considered in the negotiation of a future relationship with the EU.‘
In Practice But what does this mean in practice? Evaluators are being told by the Commission that ‘experts should not evaluate proposals from the UK
any differently than before.’ Furthermore, in the ‘frequently asked questions’ (FAQs) page of the H2020 Participant Portal, the EC states: Q: 'Should project coordinators of Horizon 2020 proposals dedicate a part of their proposal to addressing the potential risks as a consequence of the UK Referendum?’ A: ‘No. At this stage, any speculation on the consequences for the Horizon 2020 action of a withdrawal of the UK from the EU will not be taken into account in the evaluation.' The University is certainly supportive of its academics continuing to apply. ‘We would encourage all those considering applying for European funding to continue with their plans. Not only is it an excellent source of funding, and facilitates incredibly productive collaborations, but it demonstrates that Kent is outward looking, engaged, and remains the UK’s European university.' After Departure After the UK leaves the EU, the situation is less certain. However, the Treasury has agreed to underwrite any commitments to fund projects from the EU: ‘Where UK organisations bid directly to the European Commission on a competitive basis for EU funding projects while we are still a member of the EU, for example universities participating in Horizon 2020, the Treasury will 1
underwrite the payments of such awards, even when specific projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU.’ According to the UK Research Office in Brussels (UKRO), this will apply to both applications submitted and grants awarded before the exit date. (continued, p2) Inside this Edition Bonfire of the Sanities (cont) What Has EU Done for Us? Overview of Funding New Awards What’s It All About? Researchfish Welcome: New Academics Public Engagement New VC: Known Knowns OA & the REF Measuring Impact Figures Behind the Figures Final Years of H2020 Setting Exchange Rates Feedback from Researchers Research Design Service £4.7bn R&I Increase Industrial Strategy Dark Art of Costing Changes to RS Update on EPSRC Readiness for the REF Wellcome Visit Eastern ARC Choice Cuts from the Blog
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