The General Election once again brought some of the Brexit discussion back into the spotlight with discussions about the availability of EU funding and Grants for UK businesses that may have gone unnoticed and yet could be incredibly important.
With Ultimate Finance’s mission to be “The Funding Partner of Choice” in mind, our Head of Partnerships Adrian Stalley turned to experts in this area, management consultancy company Inventya, to find out what could still be available to further support our clients. We asked Inventya’s Director of Grants and Tenders, Jo Derbyshire, to shed some light on just what is available, and possibly end the misconceptions around EU Funding and UK Company Eligibility.
Jo commented, “Owing to the uncertainties surrounding Brexit, UK companies are confused about the availability of European grant funding for their businesses. To set the story straight, we want to reassure you that UK companies continue to be eligible to apply for and access European grant funding, particularly through the Horizon Europe Programme.
As the EU’s flagship initiative for promoting research and innovation, Horizon Europe funds a variety of projects, emphasising those that tackle global challenges such as climate change, food security, transport, and industrial competitiveness. With a budget of approximately £80 billion, the programme continues to offer huge opportunities for UK companies to conduct ambitious R&D.
UK’s Continued Association with Horizon Europe
On December 4, 2023, a milestone decision was reached as the UK and the EU inked a bespoke agreement that solidified the UK’s association with Horizon Europe and the Copernicus programme. This means that UK companies can participate on the same terms as companies and researchers from other associated countries.
For instance, Nova Innovation, a company developing tidal energy technology based in Scotland, is part of a consortium that has successfully secured over £17 million to develop tidal energy projects in Orkney. Similarly, The Floow, a South Yorkshire-based technology firm, is enhancing road safety through its involvement in a European project, which has been awarded just under £3 million.[1]
The funding is structured around three core pillars:
- Pillar 1: Excellent Science — Promotes foundational research through initiatives like the European Research Council.
- Pillar 2: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness — Supports projects addressing societal challenges and enhancing Europe’s industrial capabilities.
- Pillar 3: Innovative Europe — Aims to stimulate breakthrough innovations with market-creating potential.
It’s important to note that certain calls for funding within these pillars are open to individual organisations, whilst others mandate forming consortia comprising at least three different entities from multiple countries.
For UK companies, the doors to Horizon Europe remain open, business as usual.
Jo continues, “UK Companies are encouraged to apply for grants and projects with confidence, knowing that the UK’s association will continue until the programme’s end in 2027”.
Adrian adds, “It is great news that these avenues are still open to support certain UK businesses, and if any of our clients wish to explore these possibilities, we encourage you to engage with specialists such as Inventya for expert guidance.
Applying for grant funding can be a challenging process for many companies. Companies such as Inventya have expert grant writers who specialise in helping companies find, write, and apply for eligible grants. Their team is there to guide you through every step of the application process, and we are pleased to include them in our list of approved partners who provide additional value to our clients alongside our funding solutions”.
If you are interested in exploring EU Grant funding further, you can book a free consultation here.
[1] UK and EU science chiefs urge British researchers and businesses work together with European colleagues through Horizon, and apply for grants to boost jobs, growth and scientific breakthroughs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
