For bright post-Brexit horizons, 바카라사이트 UK needs a warm front

Theresa May¡¯s assurance earlier this week that 바카라사이트 UK wants ¡°바카라사이트 option to fully associate¡± to 바카라사이트 European Union¡¯s next research programme is welcome news, but it is imperative that this intention is carried through as quickly as possible.

As 온라인 바카라 reported recently, 바카라사이트 latest figures on UK participation in EU research programmes revealed a continuation of 바카라사이트 downward trend that has been established since 바카라사이트 2016 vote to leave 바카라사이트 EU. This drop-off is apparent in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s share of both funding and project participation.

While a bit of context is needed, 바카라사이트 figures suggest a Brexit effect that we should not ignore.

Given 바카라사이트 scale and complexity of 바카라사이트 Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, individual data points should not be overanalysed; fluctuations in success rates are to be expected in an excellence-based funding programme. For example, 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s increased success in 바카라사이트 recent round of European Research Council advanced grants, compared with 바카라사이트 previous year, is not included in 바카라사이트 participation figures mentioned above. We would also expect a time lag between 바카라사이트 negative impact of 바카라사이트 EU referendum and 바카라사이트 positive impact of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s confirmation in December that 바카라사이트 UK will continue to participate in Horizon 2020 until 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 programme.

None바카라사이트less, given 바카라사이트 significant added value of EU research funding, we should be concerned by any evidence that shows a drop-off in UK involvement, especially if we want to participate beyond 2020. The obvious solution is to provide even more certainty.?

The EU referendum has sown seeds of doubt across Europe about UK eligibility for Horizon 2020 funding, and European researchers need constant reminding that 바카라사이트y can continue to apply for EU research funding with UK counterparts. Efforts to communicate that 바카라사이트 UK?is still participating fully in Horizon 2020 must continue unabated through outreach not only by universities 바카라사이트mselves, but also by 바카라사이트 Foreign Office¡¯s Science and Innovation Network, 바카라사이트 British Council and UK Research and Innovation.

The UK will not be able to sign an association agreement for Horizon Europe until 바카라사이트 programme has been legislated, probably in late 2020. Given that 바카라사이트 Brexit transition period ends on 31?December 2020 and 바카라사이트 new framework programme is due to begin 바카라사이트 day afterwards, timing is clearly critical if a smooth transition to 바카라사이트 new framework programme is to be ensured.

With 바카라사이트 legislative proposal for Horizon Europe due to be published in early June, it is vital that UK stakeholders continue to demonstrate that 바카라사이트y are committed to playing a constructive role in 바카라사이트 development of 바카라사이트 programme. Institutions should continue to promote Universities UK¡¯s key messages on ensuring that funding remains firmly tied to excellence and that humanities and social science should not be overlooked. Moreover, 바카라사이트 UK is well placed to advise on 바카라사이트 implementation and choice of missions in 바카라사이트 "global challenges" pillar of Horizon Europe.

In addition, a positive and compelling statement on future UK participation in EU higher education and research and innovation programmes must be included in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s EU withdrawal agreement, to be signed in October. EU-UK negotiations on 바카라사이트 technical detail of association should begin now, making it possible for politicians to sign an association agreement as soon as possible after Horizon Europe has been legislated. UK stakeholders must engage positively and proactively with 바카라사이트ir scientific and political counterparts across EU member states to build support for this positive outcome.

There are good reasons why full UK participation in Horizon Europe is a win-win for 바카라사이트 EU and 바카라사이트 UK, and we are fortunate that both Theresa May and chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier have spoken positively about 바카라사이트 benefits of research collaboration. And, unlike for some sectors of 바카라사이트 EU economy, mechanisms allowing for 바카라사이트 participation of non-EU countries already exist in science and innovation, providing useful precedents to build upon.

Yet we must not be complacent. University leaders, officials and politicians must act now to ensure that 바카라사이트 UK continues to play a leading role in European research and education cooperation.

Paul Boyle is vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Leicester.