Royal Society of Chemistry responds to the UK Government’s Pioneer programme prospectus publication

Tanya Sheridan, Head of Policy & Evidence at RSC, said: “Our community has made it clear that continuing to collaborate with our European partners through the Horizon Europe programme is the best possible outcome for UK and European science. The start of negotiations last week was a huge morale boost for scientists on both sides of the Channel and we hope talks reach a swift and positive resolution.

“The publication of the Pioneer programme prospectus is welcome and goes some way to easing the uncertainty surrounding the UK’s Horizon Europe alternative package. Should it be required, it is important that this package includes long-term, flexible research fellowships at all career stages, Third Country Participation in Horizon Europe programmes, and provides tailored support to SMEs. However, we hope that if elements of this package are to be rolled out that they will be alongside full UK association to Horizon Europe.

“We will continue to examine the prospectus in detail and will provide feedback from the chemical sciences community over the coming weeks. While we are committed to helping the development of the Government’s Pioneer prospectus, we are unequivocal that continued involvement with Horizon Europe and collaboration with EU research programmes represent the pathway of greatest potential for UK science. We await news from the UK-EU negotiations with great interest.”

The Pioneer prospectus was published a day after the Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society of Biology and Institute of Physics sent a joint letter to the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister. In the letter, the three learned societies emphasised the importance of the UK's association with Horizon Europe for the sake of UK science and the UK’s global standing.