LONDON, Dec. 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* New figures show UK research backed by Horizon made bigger academic impactand more ambitious projects reached fruition * Comes as UK marks2years in Horizon Europe - the world's largest research and Innovation programme - with plans to boost joint work with Spain and Germany in the new year * From health to clean energy, science and tech breakthroughs made possible by Horizon Europe and its predecessor are critical to this government's mission of national renewal

New analysiscommissioned by Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) andpublished today (Monday 29 December)shows someof the UK's brightest mindswere more likely to see their research through-and hada bigger impacton theirrespectivefields-when they were backed by the world-leading Horizon R&D programme.

Theoutcomes from theseresearchprojects-from improvements to healthcare likebetter diabetes management,to newfarming techniquesto help keep the cost of food down-all underscore the unique value of R&D to the government's mission of national renewal.

The findings, which look at the UK'sparticipation in the Horizon 2020 programme (H2020),come as the UK marks the2ndanniversary of associating to its successorHorizon Europe.Asthe world's largest programme of research collaboration, worth £80 billion, the government is determined to maximise the opportunitiesHorizon Europeoffers for UK scientists,researchersand businesses to make theirgamechangingideas a reality.

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

Better Type 1 diabetes care and more productive farming techniques arejust some ofthe breakthroughsmade possible by the UK's past involvement in Horizon. Today,the programme is supporting innovators whose ideas are set toboosteconomic growth andimprove ourpublic services.

This new evidence showswhy it is so crucialthatwesupportourbrilliant scientists,researchersand businesses to seize the opportunities Horizon offers.In 2026we'llcontinue doingjust that.

European Commissioner for Startups,Researchand Innovation, KaterinaZaharievasaid:

2 years ago, the United Kingdom associated to HorizonEuropeand this has already led to many fascinating new research projects. We welcome UK researchers in all pillars of Horizon Europe, including the collaborative projects with researchers from across the continent.

I saw this fruitful collaboration in action during my visit to the UK last year and hope to see even more next time I come.

Thereport commissioned by the DSIT, has found that UK researchers secured €7.8 billion in funding throughnearly 11,000projects in H2020, which ran from 2014-2020.

Analysis showed H2020 hada positive effect on the quality ofUKpublicationsas measured by citation impact.There was also evidencethat, without H2020 funding, projects would have had to be abandoned or changedsubstantially interms of scope timeline, and/orlocation.

Some of theexcitingoutcomes fromtheUK'sinvolvementinH2020include:

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BettermanagementofType 1 Diabetesby streamlining clinical trials andidentifyingage-related biomarkersthrough the INNODIA project, with contributions fromUKuniversities includingCambridge, King's London, Oxford,CardiffandExeter.

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The EBOVAC programme advanced understanding ofthe safety and efficacy of a novel Ebola vaccine through Phase 1, 2 and 3 trials in the EU and Africa, led by the London School ofHygieneand Tropical Medicine.

While theimpact of H2020 onpreviousUKresearch was positive, there is also good news coming out of the UK's involvement in Horizon Europe,right now. Earlier this month,the EuropeanResearchCouncil(ERC) announced which mid-career researchers would be receiving its Consolidator Grants -with the UK taking the biggest share of any country.Of the 349 grants (totalling€728 million), 65 will go towardsUK-ledprojects.

To capitalise on the benefits of involvement in Horizon, the UK will be launching an international campaign in Spain and Germany in 2026. Itwillhighlight the value a UK partner can bring to a Horizon Europe application, amplifying the strengths of Spanish and German participants to achieve shared goals.

It'shoped this will build on thewealth of research that British,Germanand Spanish colleagues havealreadyworked together onthrough HorizonEurope. One example is theESCALATEproject,developingelectric HGVs.

This £19 million (€22 million) effortsaw Yorkshire-based Electra Commercial Vehicles work together with Spanish partnerPrimafrioCorporation S.A. and German partners including RWTH Aachen University, to develop higher-weight vehicles and prove their commercial value to would-be customers,opening upnew potential markets in the process.

Spanish and German researchers can find UK partners through the European Commission'sFunding and Tenders portal.

UK researchers can explore funding opportunities and application guidance via theHorizon Hub on Innovate UK .

Notes to editors

Evaluation of UK participation in H2020 report. Commissioned by DSIT toTechnopolis, aresearch and consulting organisation workingpredominantly forthe public sector.

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