Signatories of the Stick to Science campaign have sent an open letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, asking her to intervene in the critical issue for science created by the delay of the association of the UK and Switzerland to Horizon Europe.

The university, alongside all other UK universities, recently encouraged members of our Research community to support the Stick to Science initiative, which urges EU leaders and the UK government to agree to the UK’s association with Horizon Europe.

Although the open letter itself does not explicitly call for a meeting, an accompanying email sent by the co-initiators of the Stick to Science campaign has requested a bilateral meeting with President von der Leyen.

You can read a full copy of the letter here.

The signatories of the initiative hope to get the opportunity to discuss the concerns that R&I actors have for the future of science in Europe with the European Commission before the summer break.

Since February, the Stick to Science campaign has brought together the voice of more than 5,600 major research funding and performing bodies, umbrella organisations, individual researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators, calling for an open R&I landscape both at European and at international level, without any political barriers.

The campaign brochure The case for UK & Swiss Association to Horizon Europe gives additional arguments as to why the UK and Swiss association to EU R&I programmes is a win-win for Europe.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact info@stick-to-science.eu.