Responding to the BEIS announcement yesterday on a ‘Plan B’ alternative to Horizon Europe, University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said:
“University Alliance welcomes yesterday’s announcement from government which provides some assurance that plans are finally forming to ensure that researchers and universities alike are not facing a possible funding cliff edge at the end of the summer.
However, research funding, and the Horizon programme, are complicated and multifaceted. If the UK does not secure access to Horizon, a Plan B will need to swing into action in a matter of weeks from now. The lack of detail released today is therefore deeply concerning.
The government must engage urgently with all parts of the higher education and research sector, including technical universities such as University Alliance members who are delivering some of the most exciting and impactful world-leading innovation projects. A failure to engage thoroughly could result in an autumn of chaos and a missed opportunity to bolster the UK’s position as a research and innovation superpower in the long run.”
