Horizon Europe Showcase – Celebrating one year of association

27 March 2025

Mutual Benefits & Strategic Role:

• UK and EU emphasize strong partnerships in Horizon Europe (HE), especially for start-ups.
• The UK, despite being an associated country, still has influence in shaping FP10.
• Strategic reports (Draghi, Letta, Heitor) may influence budget and policy shifts, including possible increases for EIC and ERC funding.

Horizon Europe has empowered UK research projects by:

• Expanding expertise within research groups and departments.
• Pioneering new research areas, themes, and methodologies.
• Providing access to extensive international networks.
• Enabling high-risk, high-reward innovation.
• Supporting projects beyond immediate commercial impact.
• Encouraging greater ambition and long-term scientific progress.

UK Strengths & Challenges:

• Strong universities and a thriving start-up ecosystem.
• Need for higher industry participation, not just academia.
• Administrative burdens can be a barrier for start-ups joining Horizon Europe.

Horizon Europe (HE) & FP10:

• Focus on frontier research, resilience, and strategic partnerships.
• The European Commission is working to simplify funding mechanisms to make them more accessible for start-ups.
• EU-UK Summit (May 25) will discuss future collaboration opportunities.

Opportunities for BEPA & Battery Innovators

Showcasing Research Excellence:

• Success stories highlight increased research capacity, novel methodologies, and commercialization opportunities.
• HE supports not just funding but also trust-building and long-term R&I collaboration.

Support Available for Start-ups & Researchers:

• Funding opportunities: UKRI, EIT Hub UK, British Academy, Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).
• Proposal development services: National Contact Points (NCPs), external review services, and consortia-building support

Building Stronger Collaboration:

• Early-career researchers need more support in international partnerships.
• Clean tech projects should integrate societal and ethical aspects alongside innovation.
• Trust and visibility are key for fostering UK-EU collaborations.
• The UK aims to become a leading destination for researchers, ensuring mobility and talent retention.

Key Takeaways for Start-ups & Scale-ups

• Plan early: Build strong networks and engage with experienced grant recipients
• Strategic proposal writing: A well-structured consortium with industry and research expertise is crucial.
• Beyond funding: Horizon Europe provides strategic positioning, knowledge-sharing, and long-term networks.