Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (24 May) commented on the report commissioned from the Technopolis Group by the UK’s four national academies that shows exactly where EU funding goes, what kind of activities it supports and what other investment it attracts. The report lists the UK universities and disciplines that rely most heavily on funding from the EU and could be most at risk should those income streams falter post-Brexit.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“We welcome this detailed report which confirms the risks if the UK government fails to negotiate a deal to leave the European Union which covers research and student mobility. As the report shows, modern universities have been extremely successful in accessing EU funding which makes up a significant proportion of their research income.

“The EU has been very good at recognising and rewarding the applied research and work with SMEs where the UK’s modern universities excel. If the UK government fails to replace the funding which these universities receive from Europe, this would severely undermine the industrial strategy and limit any chance of improving the UK’s productivity. Government will also need to consider the distribution of funding in the future to ensure that investment is targeted across the country to benefit all parts of the UK, rather than being further concentrated in London and the south east.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. Modern universities: key facts
3. The UK National Academies – The Royal Society, Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy and Royal Academy of Engineering – jointly commissioned consultancy Technopolis to better understand the role of EU funding in UK research and innovation. 
4. The role of EU funding in UK research and innovation is published on Wednesday, 24 May
5. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk