Adrian Smith was speaking to Research Professional News in an exclusive interview as political disputes over the Northern Ireland protocol continue to put UK participation in the European Union’s €95.5 billion (£80.5bn) R&D programme in jeopardy.
“The impasse is a political one,” Smith said, “and has nothing to do with the health of science in the UK or in Europe. But it is what it is, and I am not optimistic that that will be solved in the short term.
“Therefore, we can’t carry on in limbo of not associating but not having alternatives in place.”
As negotiations rumble on, with association looking increasingly unlikely, focus has now turned to preparations for a “plan B” to replace UK participation in the programme.
In addition to its promise of a plan B, the government has pledged to cover the cost of any UK-based projects already awarded funding through the programme.
Asked if the replacement funding would measure up to the offer from the European Union, Smith said: “It’s not just about the money, it’s the intangibles: the networks, the free flows of people and the general cultural signal it sends.”
A government spokesperson told Research Professional News: “It remains our preference to associate to EU programmes, and we stand ready to do this at the earliest opportunity. If the UK is unable to associate soon, and in good time to make full use of the opportunities they offer, we will introduce a comprehensive alternative to promote global science, research and innovation collaboration.”
Read the full interview on Research Professional News: UK ‘can’t wait in Horizon limbo’, warns Royal Society president