The League of European Research Universities (LERU) has backed Theresa May’s support for full UK association with EU research programmes.

The Prime Minister’s call for, and pledge to fund, full UK association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s ninth framework programme (FP9) on research and innovation, as well as the Euratom research and training programme, won support from LERU, a body representing 23 leading research universities including Imperial College London. 

The statements reflect Imperial's campaign for post-Brexit access to EU research programmes, including Horizon Europe. The College is working with partners in Westminster, Brussels and throughout Europe to ensure Imperial's exceptional European ties continue to flourish. President Alice Gast recently wrote about this work in the New York Times. 

'Win-win'

In a statement issued today, LERU said: “it is essential that a way forward is found that allows UK science to continue to be a key contributor to science and innovation in Europe. Over many years of full membership of the EU, the UK has become an integral part of the European research and innovation ecosystem. This has been essential to the development of Science and Innovation, and to prosperity, health, and wealth of citizens in the UK and throughout Europe.”

The organisation is calling on the UK government and EU27 “to make science and innovation a high priority in the Brexit negotiations and to reach a solution that will allow scientists and researchers from the UK to continue to participate in all elements and instruments of the European Research Area after Brexit. This is a win-win for both European and UK science with clear positive benefits for all our citizens.”

The group added: “We recognise that this is difficult to deliver until further progress is made on many other aspects of the Brexit negotiations. We appeal to both the UK and the EU27 to find a way forward that leads to a series of workable solutions that are acceptable to both parties. Mobility of academic staff and researchers, for example, remains a critical issue that must ultimately be resolved and in this respect Prime Minister May’s recent speech is very much to be welcomed.

“The future co-operation agreement between the UK and EU27 must allow European science and innovation to continue to flourish at the very highest levels of international excellence and to have a major impact on the world we live in. We encourage those involved in negotiations from both the UK and the EU27 to consider the bigger picture. What is at stake here is our combined ability to make a major contribution to the frontiers of knowledge and to the future of humankind.”

The move comes as President Alice Gast concludes her term on the board of LERU. 

The full statement can be read on LERU’s website, and Theresa May’s Jodrell Bank speech has been published by the UK government.