Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies is encouraging businesses in the constituency, and across the rest of North Wales, to apply for Horizon Europe funding.
Horizon is the world’s largest programme of research collaboration, which the UK is a part of after the Prime Minister secured a bespoke deal, last year.
They are providing grants worth on average £450,000 to businesses in the UK and James is keen to ensure that researchers and businesses throughout North Wales capitalise on the opportunities the programme offers to support vitally important research, benefitting all our lives, from health to the environment.
Commenting on the programme, James said:
“This is fantastic opportunity for businesses and I am keen to ensure that those in the Vale of Clwyd, and further afield across the rest of North Wales, are aware of it.
“UK firms are already benefitting from Horizon funding to support their research, like Nova Innovation, whose consortium won over £17 million to develop tidal energy in Orkney, and South Yorkshire tech firm The Floow who are part of a project awarded just under £3 million, looking into road safety.
“There are many benefits of Horizon participation for businesses like these – particularly smaller firms involved in R&D which might not have previously considered applying – as well as academics and researchers nationwide, and I would hate for local businesses to miss out.”
A communications campaign, building on concrete support already being made available to encourage UK bids for Horizon funding, has been launched this week.
James added:
“The aim is for this funding to encourage those researchers who have not previously had experience, including next generation researchers, to apply to Horizon.
“This is just the start of a packed 2024, with plans for engagement throughout the year to ensure this message reaches businesses of all kinds, who might not have previously considered applying, as well as researchers and academics in every part of the country.
“The future of the UK depends on science, innovation and technology. By leading the way in these fields, we can grow the economy, one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities, as well as unlock breakthroughs that could improve everyone’s quality of life.
“In addition to funding, collaboration with European and global partners through the programme can help unlock export markets for UK businesses. Further information, including practical support on how to apply is available on Innovate UK’s website. Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) also host regular events that help guide businesses and researchers through the opportunities on offer and the application process.”
UK Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:
“We listened to the research sector and secured an excellent bespoke deal associating to Horizon. Being part of Horizon is a colossal win for the UK’s science, research and business communities and we need to capitalise on this incredible opportunity, once again putting our world class researchers and businesses at the very heart of the Horizon programme, which is precisely why I have set up this campaign blitz.
“I want to ensure that every part of the country is getting the most out of this programme. From a comms blitz to ensure every business and institution that does research in the UK knows about the opportunities Horizon offers, to grants to help our researchers and businesses put in the best applications possible, we will leave no stone unturned to boost our role in the world’s largest research programme.”
