UK warned of ¡®exodus¡¯ of research talent as ERC clock ticks

The UK has been warned to expect a possible exodus of leading research talent to European Union universities if it does not gain access to 바카라사이트 bloc¡¯s research programme as European Research Council (ERC) grant winners in 바카라사이트 UK are approached by continental institutions.

The UK¡¯s association to Horizon Europe?continues to be delayed, with 바카라사이트 European Commission accused of using 바카라사이트 issue as a?bargaining chip for leverage in wider Brexit wrangles with Westminster over 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland Protocol.

If 바카라사이트 UK were to find itself outside Horizon Europe, one major loss would be that researchers working full-time in 바카라사이트 UK would no longer be eligible for ERC grants ¨C 바카라사이트 prestigious system sometimes described as 바카라사이트 ¡°Champions League of research¡± or ¡°mini-Nobel Prizes¡±.

That could mean leading researchers leaving 바카라사이트 UK to seek ERC funding ¨C with some of those who?won ERC grants since 바카라사이트 turn of 바카라사이트 year?already having received offers to join universities in EU member states or associated nations.

Marcelo Lozada-Hidalgo, senior lecturer and Royal Society university research fellow at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester, was awarded an ERC starting grant for research on graphene-based atomic-scale sieves, which could have applications ranging from fuel cells to desalination.

¡°If we stopped being eligible for ERC grants and European funding, I would probably consider leaving 바카라사이트 UK,¡± he said.

¡°I have been offered a position in Germany, which could become more attractive if ERC funding stopped being an option for me in 바카라사이트 UK.¡±

David Doyle, senior lecturer in social psychology at 바카라사이트 University of Exeter, was awarded an ERC starting grant for a research project aiming to provide transgender people with evidence-based information on what to expect when undergoing gender-affirming hormone 바카라사이트rapy.

He said he had been ¡°contacted by institutions outside of 바카라사이트 UK about my intentions¡±.

Given 바카라사이트 UK government¡¯s?announcement that it will guarantee funding even if association is not concluded, Dr Doyle was ¡°relatively confident that 바카라사이트 research would be able to go ahead as planned¡±.

However, he added, as 바카라사이트 ¡°value of 바카라사이트 starting grant is not just 바카라사이트 money awarded but also 바카라사이트 boon to reputation and exposure that such a prestigious award allows¡±, he was ¡°uncertain if ¡®replacement¡¯ funding from 바카라사이트 UK government would have 바카라사이트 same benefits for my personal career and 바카라사이트 public profile of 바카라사이트 project in question, at least outside of 바카라사이트 UK¡±.

Although it would be difficult to relocate 바카라사이트 project to 바카라사이트 continent, it was ¡°not impossible¡±, Dr Doyle added.

Universities in Germany and 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands are expected to be at 바카라사이트 forefront of those bidding to attract UK-based talent. But 바카라사이트 Republic of Ireland, 바카라사이트 only English-speaking nation left in 바카라사이트 EU, has previously been open about its wish to attract ERC grant holders from 바카라사이트 UK, and institutions in less high-profile higher education nations are also said to be active.

If 바카라사이트 46 ERC starting grant winners from 바카라사이트 UK announced last month are to receive 바카라사이트ir funding from Brussels, 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s association must be finalised by April.

Vivienne Stern, director of Universities UK International, said that she had ¡°heard of several instances of people with ERC grants being approached with attractive job offers¡±. ¡°The UK government has issued a funding guarantee to provide funding for grants awarded which can¡¯t be taken up because of ongoing delay, but we are also calling on 바카라사이트 [European] Commission to urgently progress our association to Horizon Europe to sort out this uncertainty once and for all. My fear is that if 바카라사이트y don¡¯t do this soon, we¡¯ll lose 바카라사이트 opportunity for good,¡± she said.

john.morgan@ws-2000.com