Universities warn of EU-UK research scheme 'close to precipice'

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The row about UK access to a major EU research programme has been called for an urgent resolution by universities.

The Universities UK is worried that the ministers could abandon the scheme.

The situation is close to the precipice according to a letter seen by the BBC.

The EU indicated that the UK's participation is tied to the Northern Ireland row.

The EU's main funding programme for research and innovation is called "Horizon Europe".

The UK's associate membership was agreed in principle under the 2020 Trade and Co-operation Agreement, but ministers have been drawing up alternatives after complaining that access was being blocked by the EU.

The EU's ambassador to London, Jo Vale de Almeida, has described the situation in Northern Ireland ascollateral damage.

He said that the lack of trust was having a negative impact on other areas.

Tensions between the EU and UK have increased since Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said a new law would be introduced to potentially scrap parts of the protocol.

The EU accepts the post-Brexit treaty but wants changes to the existing agreement, which is causing disruption for Northern Ireland.

In a letter to the European Commission Vice- President, Universities UK said that scientific collaboration should not be compromised by political disputes.

Many of its members have reported being forced to leave projects.

The situation is getting worse every day that the uncertainty drags on, and that the delay is being felt by both EU and UK institutions.

Failure to secure UK association to Horizon Europe would be a lose-lose for health, wealth and wellbeing and would do a disservice to future generations in Europe and beyond.

Universities UK believes that a decision by the government to abandon association could come within weeks.

The minister for science, research and innovation, George Freeman, said that membership remains the priority but a plan B is being kept on hand.

Funding can't be released to UK partners without a formal agreement, and scientists and academics have been raising the alarm for months. They are concerned that EU researchers will not include UK scientists in their projects.

The funding guarantee for successful applicants was extended by the UK government in March.

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Cancer Research UK told the BBC last year that exclusion from the EU would be a blow to the fight against cancer. The world's biggest international science funding programme was described by Sir Jeremy Farrar.

The programme brings together researchers from industry and academia, with projects ranging from fundamental research to tackling issues such as climate change and efforts to find treatments for diseases.

The Universities UK letter was signed by Prof Paul Boyle ofSwansea University.

A UK government spokesman said it was disappointing that the EU continued to politicise scientific co-operation.

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.

The European Commission looked forward to a prompt resolution and recognised the benefits of cooperation in science, research and innovation.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement did not provide for a specific obligation to associate the UK at this point in time, nor for a precise deadline to do so.