11 February 2013

University think-tank million+ response to the EU budget

The university think-tank million+ welcomes the real terms increase in research and Erasmus funding outlined in the budget agreement reached by EU leaders last week (8 February) but warned that “the devil will be in the detail”.

Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ said:
“Modern universities have a high participation rate in EU research programmes compared to the amount of core research funding received from the UK’s funding councils and they are highly effective in bringing EU and international research funding to the UK.

“Investment in Horizon 2020 and Erasmus students is vital to innovation and ensuring student mobility. This is a good win but the devil will be in the detail. Ministers will need to make sure that this real terms increase is used to enhance these programmes in the 2014-2020 period”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education www.millionplus.ac.uk. For more information please contact Jean Candler, Head of Public Affairs on 0207 717 1659 or out of hours 07900 277 819.
2. The text of the budget agreement states that “Given their particular contribution to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy, the funding for Horizon 2020 and Erasmus for all programmes will represent a real growth compared to 2013 level”.