U.K. government outlines science objectives post-Brexit

In preparation for the U.K.'s exit from the European Union, the U.K. government released a position paper outlining its objectives for science and innovation collaboration with the EU. The document describes key areas where the U.K. wants to collaborate or remain in EU initiatives. In the paper, the U.K. government asks for "an ambitious science and innovation agreement with the EU" and said it hopes to have a full and open discussion with the EU about these options as part of negotiations on future partnership.

The document says the U.K. seeks to remain in programs such as Horizon 2020, the EU's largest Framework Programme for Research and Innovation with a budget of nearly €80 billion ($95.2 billion) for 2014-2020. Horizon 2020 includes the European Research Council (ERC), which funds investigator-driven research, and the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) public-private partnership. The document noted that the U.K. is the leading participant in signed contracts under Horizon 2020 and more than 90% of IMI projects have involved U.K. institutions...