On Wednesday, the Council of the EU – representing 27 EU Member States – gave the green light to UK association to the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes from 1 January 2024, approving the agreement in principle reached between the Commission and the UK Government on 7 September 2023.
UK organisations will be able to participate in Horizon Europe calls for proposals on the same terms as institutions from other Associated Countries, including leading consortia and receiving EU funding, from the 2024 Work Programme and onwards. This includes any 2024 calls opening this year.
Participation in Copernicus, the EU Earth Observation programme, will enable the UK’s access to a state-of-the-art capacity to monitor the Earth and to its services, as well as provide the UK research community with access to unique data, which is often required on Horizon Europe projects.
The UK Government has published a helpful explainer document, which includes clarifications on many issues related to the UK association to both programmes.
Next steps
The Council’s decision paves the way for formalising the agreement in principle within the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Participation in Union programmes. The committee, set up under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, is expected to adopt the decision before the end of the year.