Brexit tore apart European science — now the research rifts are healing

The United Kingdom's participation in European Union research funding is increasing, with its share of grants from Horizon Europe rising to 6.8% in 2024, up from 5.7% in 2023. This marks a recovery after the UK's withdrawal from the EU, which led to a significant drop in its funding share and the disruption of established scientific collaborations. The UK rejoined Horizon Europe in January 2024, a decision that has begun to mend the research rifts caused by Brexit. Despite the positive trend in funding, the loss of informal networks and the time it takes to rebuild them pose a persistent challenge for UK researchers seeking to collaborate with EU counterparts. The UK's association with Horizon Europe, valued at €95.5 billion ($102 billion) for 2021-2027, allows UK institutions to participate in projects and receive funding on the same terms as EU members. However, the initial period outside the program, from 2021 to 2023, saw a decline in the UK's funding share, impacting its standing in European scientific endeavors. The full recovery of these lost networks and the associated scientific momentum is expected to take several years, even with renewed funding access.