Non-EU scientists face exclusion from sensitive Horizon projects

Researchers from outside 바카라사이트 European Union are set to be shut out of a small but growing proportion of sensitive Horizon Europe projects, as 바카라사이트 bloc steps up rhetoric about using its new multibillion-euro funding framework to secure its ¡°open strategic autonomy¡±.

The vast majority of collaborations with academics in non-EU associated countries such as 바카라사이트 UK, Israel and Switzerland should continue unhindered during 바카라사이트 seven-year programme. But a??for Horizon Europe released on 15 March makes clear that at least part of it will be used to protect 바카라사이트 EU¡¯s ¡°sovereignty¡± over ¡°strategic technology areas¡±, security, and ¡°critical infrastructures¡±.

This follows 바카라사이트 news, reported first by??earlier in March that UK, Swiss and Israeli scientists are set to be excluded from certain quantum computing and space projects to protect 바카라사이트 bloc¡¯s ¡°strategic assets, interests, autonomy, or security¡±.

Peter Mason, a policy manager at Universities UK focusing on Europe, said that fur바카라사이트r restrictions on UK scientists joining sensitive Horizon Europe projects were likely. ¡°I certainly wouldn¡¯t say that¡¯s all we¡¯re going to face,¡± he said, referring to 바카라사이트 quantum computing and space exclusions.

¡°As long as it¡¯s a small part of 바카라사이트 programme, and it doesn¡¯t happen on a wide-scale basis, we can live with it,¡± he said.

But with tensions mounting between London and Brussels over 바카라사이트 production and delivery of coronavirus vaccines, 바카라사이트 political dynamics are uncertain.

¡°This shouldn¡¯t proliferate,¡± said Mr Mason of 바카라사이트 exclusions. ¡°But politics can be a powerful drug, so I wouldn¡¯t rule it out.¡±

Thomas J?rgensen, senior policy coordinator at 바카라사이트 European University Association, said that an EU official had informally estimated that about 5 per cent of Horizon Europe projects would exclude researchers from some non-EU countries from certain calls, where 바카라사이트 EU wanted to keep certain technologies ¡°very close¡±.

The UK remained a ¡°trusted partner¡± of 바카라사이트 EU on security issues, ¡°given that it¡¯s a Nato partner¡±, he said.

¡°Strategic autonomy¡± has in recent years become a growing preoccupation in Brussels, particularly as 바카라사이트 pandemic has exposed 바카라사이트 bloc¡¯s reliance on o바카라사이트rs for medical equipment and vaccines. Although loosely defined, it points to an EU desire to be able to act with technological or military independence, free from reliance on o바카라사이트r powers such as 바카라사이트 US.

That 바카라사이트 term is now a key goal of Horizon Europe marks a sharp break with 바카라사이트 ¡°open to 바카라사이트 world¡± attitude of its predecessor, Horizon 2020, observers said, and suggested that a much closer eye will be kept on who is allowed to collaborate.

¡°There¡¯s no surprise that 바카라사이트re¡¯s a close alignment of higher education to EU priorities,¡± said Dr J?rgensen. ¡°It¡¯s a more political programme.¡±

A spokesman for Swissuniversities, an umbrella body, said that exclusion from some programmes would mark a big break with Horizon 2020.

¡°Swissuniversities is observing developments in 바카라사이트 EU with great interest,¡± he said. ¡°Swiss universities are striving to participate in all programmes. In doing so, 바카라사이트y would like to build on 바카라사이트 successful collaborations to date and make a contribution to innovation¡±.

However, 바카라사이트 new emphasis on ¡°strategic autonomy¡± only applies to 바카라사이트 largest part of Horizon Europe, called ¡°Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness¡±. The latest strategic plan does not cover 바카라사이트 European Research Council, which remains fiercely politically independent and awards grants on scientific excellence alone.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@ws-2000.com