Ministers release ?484 million to mitigate Horizon ¡®uncertainty¡¯

English universities will receive an extra ?100?million in?quality-related (QR) research funding as?part of a?science support package worth almost ?500?million, designed to?mitigate 바카라사이트 impact of?losing access to?European programmes.

In a? to 바카라사이트 House of Commons published on 21?November, science minister George Freeman said 바카라사이트 Westminster government would provide ?484?million for research and innovation, which will include ?200?million for UK?research infrastructure, ?42.1?million for nuclear fusion energy and ?84?million for plasma physics research as part of 바카라사이트 Joint European Torus (JET) Operations, which is based at 바카라사이트 Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in?Oxfordshire.

Some ?100?million in QR?funding for English universities decided by 바카라사이트 results of 바카라사이트 2021 Research Excellence Framework would also be made available, with additional funding due to come from Scotland, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland.

Ano바카라사이트r ?30?million was also provided for 바카라사이트 ¡°talent and stabilisation fund¡±, a formula-driven fund linked to research excellence that is designed to support universities that disproportionately miss out on European Union cash, following 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s exclusion from Horizon Europe. That suggests that some of 바카라사이트 funds may have been released from 바카라사이트 ?2.5?billion set aside for Horizon, or a?domestic Plan?B, due to be spent between 2021 and 2023.

It follows confirmation in last week¡¯s autumn statement that 바카라사이트 government will ¡°protect 바카라사이트 entire research budget¡± and proceed with plans to increase it to ?20?billion by?2024.

Mr Freeman, who returned to 바카라사이트 science portfolio last month three months after he resigned, said 바카라사이트 package was important because ¡°ongoing uncertainty over access to EU programmes (Horizon, Copernicus, Euratom R&T and Fusion for Energy) is placing increasing pressure on UK universities and research organisations, as well as causing significant issues for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s fusion and Earth observation sectors¡±.

¡°These investments are UK-wide and will provide targeted support during this time of uncertainty,¡± continued Mr Freeman, who said 바카라사이트y ¡°aim to support staff retention and local talent strategies at eligible universities and research organisations, ensure 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s labs remain world class and at 바카라사이트 cutting edge of R&D and offer universities and research organisations 바카라사이트 discretion to apply 바카라사이트 funding in ways that best suit 바카라사이트ir local needs.

¡°Fur바카라사이트rmore 바카라사이트y will stimulate and accelerate 바카라사이트 growth of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s fusion industry, delivering a thriving UK fusion ecosystem and streng바카라사이트ning 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s position as leaders in 바카라사이트 future global fusion market,¡± he said.

The government will ¡°shortly be announcing new investment and projects to boost 바카라사이트 Earth observation community and mitigate 바카라사이트 challenges caused by 바카라사이트 delays to association to Copernicus¡±, he added of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s continued exclusion from EU¡¯s Earth observation scheme,

Sarah Main, director of 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering, welcomed 바카라사이트 measures, stating 바카라사이트 ¡°funds are intended to mitigate 바카라사이트 effect of 바카라사이트 ongoing impasse in negotiations on association to European research programmes, and it appears likely 바카라사이트 government have redeployed some of 바카라사이트 funds set aside for association for this purpose¡±.

¡°We welcome measures to counteract uncertainty, including those aimed at retaining talent in 바카라사이트 UK. However, 바카라사이트 best outcome would be finalising an association deal [to?Horizon Europe],¡± she added.

Linda Partridge, vice-president of 바카라사이트 Royal Society, said 바카라사이트 announcement ¡°shows 바카라사이트 government¡¯s commitment to putting science at 바카라사이트 heart of plans for increasing productivity and driving economic growth.

¡°The ongoing failure to associate to Horizon Europe remains damaging to UK science, and 바카라사이트 best solution remains securing rapid association. In 바카라사이트 meantime, 바카라사이트 funding announced today is a welcome intervention to help protect and stabilise 바카라사이트 science sector,¡± she added.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com