A simple phone call in September between the British prime minister and the EU president and, it seems, the deal was sealed – the UK is back in Horizon Europe and here at Insight Media we couldn’t be more pleased.
This decision has injected a fresh wave of optimism into the scientific and research communities on both sides of the Channel. The £81 billion Horizon Europe programme, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation initiative, has long been a cornerstone of transnational scientific cooperation. The UK’s return to the fold is not just a political development but a testament to the shared commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing global challenges collaboratively.
The challenges facing humanity – ranging from climate change and public health crises to technological disruptions – are inherently global. The collaborative nature of Horizon Europe positions the UK and European researchers to work together in addressing these challenges effectively. By combining their intellectual resources and diverse perspectives, scientists from both the UK and Europe can develop holistic solutions that have a far-reaching impact on a global scale.
The UK’s return to Horizon Europe is therefore more than just a scientific reunion; it is a symbol of unity in the face of shared challenges. It reflects a commitment to fostering a borderless pursuit of knowledge and innovation, where the collective power of diverse minds propels us towards a better, more sustainable future.
“We’re thrilled to be back in the Horizon programme, rekindling our collaboration with EU partners. Our participation in Horizon projects is one of the central pillars of what we do as a company,” says Insight Media MD William Davis. “The challenges faced by universities, research organisations and companies like ours in the UK during our absence have been tough, but this deal marks a turning point.
“Having been a longstanding beneficiary of European funding, our return to the Horizon programme is hugely exciting. It opens doors to a multitude of opportunities for the UK to join forces with our EU friends once again. At Insight Media, we’re eager to contribute to collaborative efforts to tackle global challenges. I feel that our expertise in communicating successful research outcomes is needed now, more than ever, so it’s great to be back.
“This reunion signifies a special moment that holds the promise of addressing cross-border issues hand-in-hand. The renewed optimism is palpable, and we anticipate a surge in projects that will empower the UK and EU to tackle shared objectives on the international stage. Together, we look forward to shaping a brighter future through joint innovation and research.”
- Insight Media Group (IMG) is a leading European agency specialising in communication, dissemination and exploitation strategies designed for research projects and organisation. IMG has also worked with several research funding programmes in Europe, and provides a full array of communications services from publications, event coordination and media relationships to project films, websites and exploitation planning.