Brexit damaging UK life sciences talent and funding: The Royal Society

Brexit uncertainty is already having a negative impact on UK science, according to  The Royal Society (TRS), the UK’s national academy of sciences.

In a  new analysis, published yesterday October 16, TRS said the UK’s annual share of  EU research funding, namely  Horizon 2020, has fallen by almost a third, the equivalent of €500 million ($556 million) since 2015.

Despite government underwrites in the event of no-deal, Brexit uncertainty is having a clear impact on the UK’s ability to attract funding and talent, the society said.

In 2015, prior to the referendum, the UK secured 16% of the total Horizon 2020 grants signed for in that year (in monetary terms). In 2018, this figure had fallen to just over 11%.

“Just as it matters for businesses, uncertainty matters for researchers. The number of UK applications to Horizon 2020 has fallen drastically,” TRS said.

In 2015, there were 19,127 UK applications to Horizon 2020. In 2018 this had fallen to 11,746 applications, a 39% reduction in the application rates.

“The EU aren’t punishing us: when we apply we are successful. Funding is important, but the most vital component for producing world-leading research and innovation, is the people who perform it. We’re losing out on international talent,” the report said.

TRS gave the example of the Marie Sklodowska Curie (MSCA) Individual Fellowships, a scheme specifically designed to increase international mobility, encouraging top international talent to relocate to an overseas institution.

It said that previously, the UK performed “head and shoulders above all other EU nations in attracting individual via this programme.

“However since the referendum, this has seen a significant dent. In 2015 (pre-referendum) 515 individuals took up MSCA Individual Fellowships in UK institutions. In 2018 this had fallen significantly to 336,” it said.

In its analysis, TRS said it was important for the UK to obtain a deal that keeps highly-skilled scientists working in the UK and ensures that international talent still chooses to come here.

“To do this, the deal must ensure that UK and EU scientists can continue to work in each other’s countries with minimal friction, bureaucracy and cost,” it added.

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