MillionPlus welcomes EU research funding guarantee; calls on government to protect EU students access to loans

MillionPlus, the Association of Modern Universities, has today (15 August) welcomed the UK government’s decision to underwrite EU research funding received by UK universities even when specific projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU. This includes funding awarded through Horizon 2020 bids and EU Structural and Investment Funding.

Professor Dave Phoenix, Chair of MillionPlus and Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University, said:

“This is excellent news for universities and offers significant reassurance to researchers working on vital projects. However, guarantees for research funding only go part-way to ensuring stability in UK universities during the Brexit transition.

“The Chancellor now needs to confirm that access to loan funding for EU students who commence their courses before Brexit is also guaranteed for their full period of study. This is crucial for UK universities and given students are already seeking information for 2017 entry is increasingly urgent.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk

2. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk

3. Key facts about Modern Universities

4. Full details on the Government’s announcement can be found here.