Business School study urges inclusive EU funding
A new report co-authored by the Business School’s Dr Gosia Mitka and an independent researcher Rachel Dohain-Lesueur suggests non-European Union (EU) countries participating in its flagship €95.5 billion Horizon Europe research and innovation programme as associated countries feel excluded from key decisions and want a more significant say in the design of the EU’s next major research programme.
Longstanding partners such as Norway, Switzerland and Türkiye have paid to participate in the EU’s Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation for several years. Under Horizon Europe, which launched in 2021 and will run until 2027, the EU widened its scope to include Canada, New Zealand and South Korea. Following Brexit and a four-year delay due to complex political negotiations, the UK became an associated country in January 2024.
The report, ‘Voices from the Horizon: Third Countries’ Experiences Guiding the Design of FP10,’ draws on interviews with participants from public organisations in nine third (non-EU) countries, including Australia, Canada, Iceland, Moldova, Morocco, Norway, Switzerland, Türkiye and the UK. It highlights growing concerns about limited influence, unclear terms of participation and existing restrictions on accessing funding opportunities.
Dr Gosia Mitka, Vice-Dean of Engagement, Partnerships and Social Responsibility at the University of St Andrews Business School, said:
“Associated countries not only contribute to the Horizon Europe budget but also advance quality research and innovation on a global scale. As one UK participant said, ‘You do better science when you are together,’ so the EU needs to take them seriously. Their feedback is essential to ensure the next programme reflects the needs of a truly international research community.”
After highlighting a wealth of shared incentives to associate with the programme, from scale to prestige, the study found several areas for improvement related to exclusions from ‘sensitive’ research calls to a need for enhanced transparency in calculating participation fees. Some countries also expressed concern about the financial risks of association, particularly those operating on a pay-as-you-go model. One interviewee described this as “a blank cheque”.
Associated countries want a more formal voice in the next Framework Programme (FP10)’s planning and governance, which will begin in 2028. While associated countries can contribute to discussions, they have no vote in agenda-setting. “It’s about keeping what works well rather than creating something completely new,” said Dr Mitka. “If the next Framework Programme is going to remain global in reach, this must be reflected in its design and association policies.”
