Working on EU-funded projects

Although the UK has left the EU, you can continue to take part in EU funding programmes.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the world’s largest research and Innovation programme, with a budget of over £82 billion (€95.5 billion) and runs until 2027. The programme is open to all types of research and Innovation organisations, including:

large businesses
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
academia
public institutions
third-sector organisations

On 7 September 2023 the UK agreed a deal to associate to Horizon Europe.

UK researchers can now apply for Horizon Europe funding, certain that all successful UK applicants will be covered through the UK’s association (or through the guarantee) for the remainder of the programme.

Professor Christopher Smith, UKRI’s International Champion and Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, on why Horizon Europe is an amazing opportunity for UK researchers. Credit: UKRI

Help for UK applicants

See our guidance for Horizon Europe:

See our guidance if you’re applying for Horizon Europe guarantee funding.

You can also get advice from the UK Research Office, a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) team based in Brussels supporting the UK’s involvement in the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.

Innovate UK Business Connect’s Horizon Europe section offers a range of information on Horizon Europe, relevant news, events and funding, and help to connect you with the right support

Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020 was the predecessor programme to Horizon Europe.

If you already have Horizon 2020 funding awarded prior to EU Exit, in most cases it will continue for the project’s lifetime, even for projects that finish after 31 December 2020.

Payment arrangements stay the same, and UK participants can continue to lead projects. They still receive:

any remaining ERC, MSCA or EIC Accelerator funding they’ve been awarded
any non-grant EU finance approved before 1 February 2020, for example, from the European Commission, EIB or European Investment Fund (EIF)

For help and advice: get in touch with your UK National Contact Point.

Horizon Europe case studies

Fast charging for battery-powered ships: a Horizon Europe guarantee grant has kept UK partners involved in a project to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the shipping industry

Recyclable motors for electric vehicles: supported by a Horizon Europe guarantee grant, UK partners are continuing to work towards cleaner, more efficient alternatives to the internal combustion engine

Clean options for long distance haulage: supported through a Horizon Europe guarantee grant, UK partners are helping heavy duty vehicles to travel further, more sustainably

Better models for ocean conservation: through a Horizon Europe guarantee grant, the UK is continuing to provide improved monitoring of the marine ecosystem

Filling the space skills gap: with ongoing support from the Horizon Europe guarantee scheme, the UK remains central to future skills planning in the space sector

Backing biodiversity with evidence: supported by a Horizon Europe guarantee grant, a UK company is continuing to provide vital evidence around biodiversity

Last updated: 17 April 2024