British science is facing a threat of a brain drain that could result in scores of top young researchers leaving the UK. The futures of several major British-led international projects are in jeopardy because of a delay in funding by the European Union.
Senior scientists say the UK's scientific standing is at serious risk, while others warn that major programmes, including medical projects aimed at tackling global diseases, face cancellation.
There is a chance that bright young scientists will choose to leave the UK for a better career. UK science will suffer.
British science is threatened by the government's rows with the EU. Britain will be allowed to continue to play a major role in Europe's vast research programme after the country leaves the EU. The failure of talks over Northern Ireland has led to a delay in this arrangement. Dozens of scientists who received grants earlier this month as part of this year's round of EU funding awards had their offers revoked a few days later.
Professor said that they got a letter thanking them for getting the grant from the EU.
Drakeley said his team was delighted with the research they had put together. We got a new letter saying the UK was ineligible to take part.
Drakeley is trying to find new partnerships within the EU to make sure the project goes ahead.
The EU has two main approaches to research funding. The European Research Council gives grants to individual researchers. Awards are provided to groups of institutions who wish to combine forces for research. The UK agreed to pay 15 billion dollars over seven years to remain in these schemes.
The deal was greeted with relief by UK scientists, who have a strong record of getting EU funding. They would be able to continue with their projects in a variety of fields. The impact on British science could be very damaging now that the agreement has been suspended.
British scientists are not getting funding from the EU or the UK government because of the situation. We are throwing away research because we are a global superpower. It will lead to a loss of trust and potential partners.
The danger is not limited to hard science. Classics, law and philosophy get a lot of support from Europe, which is why the British Academy believes that there is a risk of a brain drain if that source disappears.
The government is trying to find ways to make up funds that are lost. Senior scientists say the uncertainty is causing damage. They point out that receiving an ERC grant is a boost to a young researcher's career. A cash substitute is not likely to be attractive enough to keep recipients in the UK.
John Dainton is the founder of the Cockcroft Institute, a centre for particle accelerator research. It has attracted many top young researchers over the years. It is very worrying.
The UK stands ready to formalise our association to EU programmes at the earliest opportunity, but there have been persistent delays from the EU. The UK government has guaranteed funding for the first wave of eligible, successful applicants who have been unable to sign grant agreements with the EU.
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