Leading UK, Canadian and Swiss universities have called for the successor to Horizon Europe to support ¡°curiosity-driven research and open international collaboration¡± in a letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, further urging the European Union to ¡°make clear the terms of joining FP10 ahead of time¡± to potential associated countries.

The umbrella bodies swissuniversities, U15 Canada and the Russell Group, all from countries currently associated to the EU¡¯s framework research funding programme, say ¡°openness, excellence, and shared ambition must remain central to the EU¡¯s vision for research and innovation¡± as the Horizon successor is developed.

In a newly published briefing paper, meanwhile, the Russell Group encouraged the UK to issue an ¡°early declaration of intent¡± to associate to FP10, a move it said would ¡°help secure and enhance relationships with EU partners¡±.

By confirming that FP10 will be a self-standing programme and enabling associated countries to participate in ¡°strategic¡± Horizon calls, the university groups say in the open letter, ¡°the EU is therefore on the cusp of delivering a stable, long-term, accessible framework that enables us to pool ideas and talent¡±.

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¡°At a time when our countries are tackling so many of the same issues, we should seize this opportunity, backing curiosity-driven research and open international collaboration.¡±

Associated countries, the umbrella bodies said, ¡°bring valuable talent and resources to Horizon collaborations¡±, while offering EU countries ¡°access to new ideas and facilities to help tackle shared challenges and boost competitiveness¡±.

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¡°Supporting association on mutually beneficial terms, with equal access where countries are associated¡± would help maximise FP10¡¯s impact on ¡°economic growth and competitiveness,¡± the groups write.

Establishing ¡°a process to make clear the terms of joining FP10 ahead of time¡±, they added, ¡°would enable countries such as the UK, Canada and Switzerland to make an informed, early decision about associating. This would help ensure our universities are ready to contribute to the new R&D work programmes from day one.¡±

The Russell Group, in its briefing paper, says its universities were ¡°putting special support in place¡± to boost researchers¡¯ engagement with Horizon Europe, which the UK rejoined in 2023. Highlighting data from the European Research Council, which indicated that UK-based researchers won the most advanced grants and proof of concept grants in the 2024 work programme, the umbrella body says?it anticipated ¡°further progress¡± in subsequent years.

Increased awareness among academics, investment in support and information and ¡°as much clarity as possible on UK association to FP10¡± could help researchers make the most of Horizon Europe association, the Russell Group recommends, urging the UK to ¡°[retain] fiscal headroom to associate to FP10 from 2028¡± as part of its early declaration of intent.

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¡°Full participation, with as few areas excluded as possible, would also complement UK-EU efforts to co-ordinate across military, economic, climate, health, cyber, and energy security,¡± the university group says.

emily.dixon@timeshighereducation.com