Britain's membership of Horizon, which funds research projects tackling crucial issues from the climate crisis to terminal diseases and improving food and energy security, was agreed as part of the post-Brexit trade deal in 2020. But it was never ratified in a tit-for-tat row between the EU and the UK over Northern Ireland Brexit arrangements. A senior EU source said the return to Horizon, three years into a seven-year funding cycle, was discussed by the EU's College of Commissioners this week. The Guardian understands a deal is expected to be announced today.
Prof Carsten Welsch, a physicist at the University of Liverpool who lost the leadership of a £2.6m research project on a novel plasma generator that could be used in cancer treatment when the UK was excluded from Horizon, said: "I am absolutely thrilled about this news, as we have been in a limbo situation for far too long. Horizon Europe is stronger with the UK and UK research is stronger in Horizon."
Mike Galsworthy, the chair of European Movement UK, attacked the government for disadvantaging science by delaying associate membership of Horizon for so long.
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