UofG remains eligible to win EU research funding

Following the postponement of the UK’s departure from the EU until 31 January, we continue participating in EU research programmes – with eligibility for EU funding. There is no change to our status during this extension and during any subsequent extension which might be agreed.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, there will be no changes – for running projects or for new applications – until at least December 2020.

If the UK leaves without a deal, we will lose eligibility for EU funding but remain able to apply to most parts of the EU research programmes. In such a ‘no-deal’ scenario, the UK government guarantees payments for running projects and for new bids after exit (new bids to calls which allow UK participation only).

The Government has recently updated its advice on how Brexit affects EU-funded research projects: UK Government Horizon 2020 Fact Pack

So our funding to participate in EU research until at least 2020 is secure, even in a ‘no-deal’.

If there is a deal (ratified Withdrawal Agreement)

We will keep bidding for and winning Horizon 2020 funding direct from the EU until December 2020, with no change to our funding eligibility. All existing projects will continue with uninterrupted EU funding.

If there is a ‘no-deal’

Running projects will continue with funding from the UK Government Guarantee
Existing EU projects would stop receiving EU funding and be funded instead through the UK Government Guarantee, to completion. This Guarantee covers successful bids submitted before exit.

This UK funding will be delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UofG's Senior Management Group confirmed in January 2019 that the University will underwrite applicable projects if there is a delay in finalising replacement awards from UKRI, thus ensuring that research work can continue uninterrupted. The University has declared all running EU projects to UKRI, as part of preparations for a possible ‘no-deal’. Staff holding EU grants need not act now to benefit from the Guarantee, as the Overseas Team is taking the necessary actions.

The University has been actively planning for a possible ‘no-deal’ and the Overseas Team recently sent information to EU grant holders across UofG. There will be more information for grant holders as the situation evolves.

New bids from exit until December 2020 are covered by the Government Guarantee Extension
Most EU projects are open to researchers based anywhere in the world, so we would continue to be able to participate in these parts of the programme – without receiving EU funding. Successful UK Horizon 2020 applicants will be funded by the Government Guarantee Extension (except for some ERC Grants and MSCA European Fellowships). So we will continue participating in most areas of EU funding even after a ‘no-deal’, funded by the UK Government.

We can confidently apply for EU projects, as funding for successful bids is secureWhatever the Brexit outcome, UofG can continue to receive funding to participate in EU research, until the end of 2020 at least. Many opportunities remain, all remaining calls up to December 2020 are already published. We emphasise the following calls to which UK researchers can apply:

  • MSCA Innovative Training Networks (ITN) – deadline 14 January;
  • ERC Consolidator Grant – deadline 4 February.

When applying to the ERC Consolidator Grant, UK researchers should submit their applications by 31 January, in case there is a ‘no-deal’ Brexit on this date. In the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, the ERC may still decide to evaluate all UK applications. If it does not, UKRI has committed to have all UK proposals submitted before Brexit reviewed and to fund the best of them: https://www.ukri.org/research/international/ukri-eu-exit/eu-exit-in-flight-applications/ 

The Overseas Team continues to support you in all aspects of submitting Horizon 2020 proposals. Contact the team at rso-eufunding@glasgow.ac.uk 

We repeat that there is no evidence to support concerns of anti-UK evaluation bias: in the 2017 and 2018 ERC Advanced Grants and 2018 MSCA Individual Fellowships, the UK won more grants than any other country. These evaluations took place after the 2016 decision for the UK to leave the EU.

Deal or ‘no-deal’, we will be funded to participate in EU research programmes until 2020
While the Brexit outcome remains uncertain, we know that we can participate and receive funding for Horizon 2020 projects either from the EU or the UK Government for the lifetime of the projects.

First published: 15 November 2019

<< 18 November 2019