Government guarantees funding beyond UK's date to leave the EU

Author
Mary Martin
Director of Marketing | Business West
17th August 2016
Member roleChamber member

Chancellor Phillip Hammond confirmed over the weekend that the government will continue to finance EU-funded projects after the UK's exit from the UK, provided that they are signed before the UK's exit date.

Since the 23 June referendum when voters backed to leave the EU there has been much uncertainty surrounding EU Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) funding and whether UK organisations should continue to bid for competitive EU funds.

This weekend’s announcement has been welcomed by British businesses and universities and brings much needed assurance around eligibility of UK bids directly to the European Commission.

An earlier announcement from the European Commissioner, Carlos Moedas, has also given UK researchers reassurance. His statement made it clear that “the referendum as such doesn’t change anything regarding their eligibility for funding under Horizon 2020, the world’s biggest research and innovation funding programme."

Currently, organisations can apply to Horizon 2020, the EU’s 80bn euro (£69bn) programme for research and innovation. During 2007-2013 the UK was the second largest recipient of EU RD&I funding with nearly €7billion awarded.

Enterprise Europe Network South West (EENSW), delivered by Business West, has supported many organisations with their applications to Horizon 2020 and provided opportunity to build networks with partners across Europe for technology transfer or joint research and development purposes.

Paul O’Collins, Head of Innovation, Business West said: “The UK’s access to EU Research and Innovation funding after our exit from the EU still requires much further discussion, but the message is clear, in the interim there is still an abundance of funding opportunities available to British businesses and they should continue to bid.”

“Our Enterprise Europe Network contract can help companies to tap into a wealth of expert advice to find out what funding is eligible to their business and support them to make a successful bid.”

For more information on the support and role EEN can play in helping you apply for EU funding programmes and find new partners in Europe contact 01275 370 997 or email info@enterpriseeuropesw.org.uk

 

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