British scientists can request grants if UK rejoins EU’s £85bn Horizon scheme

The UK was locked out of Horizon in retaliation for failing to implement the Northern Ireland Brexit trading arrangements. Photograph: David Davies/PA

British scientists and academic researchers will be able to reapply to the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) for grants if, as expected, the UK rejoins the flagship Horizon European programme, it has been confirmed.

The re-entry comes almost a year after 115 grants approved for British candidates were terminated by the council because of the delay in ratifying the UK’s associate membership of the £85bn Horizon funding scheme.