Academy President comments on ODA and Horizon Europe funding
Commenting today on the importance of maintaining funding for research and innovation and international partnerships, Professor Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“World-leading scientific research coupled with engineering innovation provides the lifeblood of economic success in the modern world, and international cooperation is essential for the success of Global Britain. While economic circumstances are challenging, it was very disappointing that research and innovation programmes suffered severely when International Development expenditure was reduced from 0.7% to 0.5% of UK GNI, despite appeals from across the charity and research sectors to the Foreign Secretary.
“The Academy’s own ODA funded programmes, supporting engineers from across low and middle income countries to address development challenges, have suffered a 73% funding cut and no new activities will be permitted in 2021/22 with government funding. This will impact heavily on the valuable relationships we have built up with research and innovation partners around the world.
“Given the government’s stated aim to make the UK a science and technology superpower, it would be entirely counter productive if the research and innovation budget has to be stretched to breaking point because the 2020 spending review did not make sufficient allowances to cover the initial cost of association to Horizon Europe. We need both dynamic domestic support systems and vibrant opportunities for international collaboration, and to put either on hold for a year would be harmful, and clearly at odds with the laudable ambitions that the government has set out.
“The UK faces huge challenges in achieving a recovery that marries economic renewal with the societal goals of spreading opportunity and skilled employment more evenly across the nation. Against this backdrop, supporting both innovation and international cooperation is vital to ensure that the UK translates its world-class research into technological breakthroughs that can enhance the productivity and competitiveness of UK business and deliver tangible societal benefit.”
Notes for Editors
- The Presidents of the UK’s four national Academies have written joint letters to the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary on these issues, see Sir Jim’s blog at https://www.raeng.org.uk/news/blog-posts/2021/march/academies-seek-assurances-over-research-funding
- The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone.
In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public.
Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
For more information please contact
Jane Sutton at the Royal Academy of Engineering
T: +44 207 766 0636
E: Jane Sutton
Responses