RSB is relieved to see the agreement for an association with Horizon Europe post-Brexit to come to fruition. This is something we, as an organisation, have pushed for, due to its importance for UK science and the UK’s global standing.

RSB firmly believes that being part of EU research programmes means we attract and retain talented researchers and innovators in the UK, as well as bringing significant financial benefits to research and companies. Equally, playing an active part in Europe-wide programmes has been proven to create supportive international ecosystems for potentially high-growth, transformative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.

Dr Mark Downs CBiol CSci FRSB, chief executive of RSB, commented: “The RSB has been pressing the government to associate with Horizon Europe and is delighted with this outcome. This decision will benefit UK science, society and economic growth. Bioscience holds potential solutions for many critical challenges from biodiversity loss through climate change to disease control and food security. UK and EU biologists will once again have access to the enormous benefits of collaboration that the Horizon programme brings.”

We are glad to see that the Government has listened to us and the whole of the scientific community, and taken the necessary action to ensure this association with EU research programmes.