PoliSCI (w/e 29 March 2019)

Partial Horizon Europe agreed by European Parliament

European Parliament and the EU Council have reached a partial agreement on the Horizon Europe research programme, but still no deal has been reached on its budget and non-EU country participation. The next step will be for the EU’s member states and MEPs to approve the agreement so that the European Commission can prepare for Horizon Europe to be implemented by its set start date in 2021.

Calls to increase the incomes of researchers in poorer countries have been rejected, with negotiators agreeing to dedicate 3.3% of Horizon Europe’s budget to support widening participation of the programme. Currently, the Commission’s counter proposal sets aside €1.7bn for this activity, which is 1.8% of the proposed budget, and Parliament want 4%.

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Patient outcomes to be transformed by £23m investment

New cutting-edge health projects in the early, feasibility and late stages will benefit from £23m of new government funding from Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council under the Biomedical Catalyst programme. The programme’s main aims are: to deliver growth to the UK life sciences sector; deliver innovative products and services into healthcare more quickly and effectively; and provide support to academically and commercially led R&D.

‘From new software to diagnose breast cancer to improved gene therapies for children with leukaemia, these projects show the life-changing effect UK research can have,’ said Life Sciences Minister, Lord Henley. ‘The Biomedical Catalyst programme demonstrates our modern Industrial Strategy in action, supporting businesses to develop innovative products and creating the high-skilled jobs of the future whilst improving the lives of people throughout the country.’

UK sign deal to prolong world’s largest nuclear fusion project

A new contract signed by the UK and European Commission has ensured the continuation of the world’s largest operational nuclear fusion research facility, Joint European Torus (JET), in Culham, Oxfordshire, UK. The extension has secured the jobs of 500 individuals working on JET and €100m of inward investment from the EU until the end of 2020.

‘Extending this contract means cutting-edge and world-leading fusion research can continue in this country, which I know will be a welcome reassurance to the hundreds of workers at Culham,’ said Science Minister, Chris Skidmore. ‘Science has no borders and as we leave the EU, this kind of international collaboration remains at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy to maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in research and innovation.’