University of Glasgow Connect

Why Horizon Europe still matters to us

Each year on 9th May, Europe Day offers a moment to reflect on the ideals of peace, unity and cooperation that underpin European identity. For us – a UK-based, research-intensive university – it is also a chance to affirm something we have always believed: that while the UK may have left the EU, we have never stepped away from our shared European values, nor from our commitment to collaborating across borders.

At this time, we want to acknowledge both the opportunities and the responsibilities that come with being associated to Horizon Europe – and to extend an open invitation to our peers across the continent (and beyond) for further collaboration.

Partnerships at the heart of our mission

Despite the disruption of the UK leaving the EU, international partnerships remain central to our institutional mission. As an ancient university, ranked among the world’s top 100 and known for our research outputs, we continue to invest in collaborations that deliver real-world impact. One of our strategic focuses is on interdisciplinary research that tackles the global challenges of our time – including those articulated in the UN Sustainable Development Goals – and this is where our partners play a vital role.

We know that the most ambitious, innovative research often depends on trusted partnerships. Whether through long-standing collaborations or newly emerging connections, we are committed to working with institutions that share our passion for undertaking research to address complex societal challenges. As our shared research landscape continues to evolve, we want to assure that colleagues across Europe and beyond that we are open to collaboration, eager to contribute, and ready to partner on future bids.

Rebuilding connections through Horizon Europe

Since the UK’s association to Horizon Europe from January 2024, we have worked actively to re-energise our community of researchers and support staff to engage with the programme and strengthen research networks. For many academics, especially early career researchers, the referendum on UK membership of the EU, and subsequent negotiations, disrupted vital international research networks. Rebuilding those relationships takes time, trust, and focused support.

We have introduced a number of internal initiatives to help our academic community reconnect. These include competitive seed funding rounds, designed to help colleagues build or strengthen partnerships with a view to submitting Horizon Europe proposals. For some, this support has enabled the development of new consortia from the ground up; for others, it has been about re-vitalising long standing collaboration.

We have also run internal workshops to demystify the mechanics of Horizon funding and funded a professional development workshop in Brussels for our research support staff – recognising that enabling successful international bids isn’t just about the academics involved, but about the strength of the ecosystem around them.

Our approach has been guided by a simple principle: that institutional support for Horizon Europe must be both strategic and practical. The goal is not just to increase our engagement in applications, but to ensure that when our researchers partner with international colleagues, they are confident, well-supported, and fully able to engage.

Looking ahead, together

As the European Commission begins discussions on the next Framework Programme (FP10), we are reminded that European research collaboration is not static – it is a living, evolving space for cooperation. The role of associated countries in future frameworks remains under discussion, but what is clear is that partnership will continue to be at the heart of the European research model.

For institutions like ours – and for all of us working in international roles across higher education – this is the time to re-establish connections, reignite ideas, and reimagine what collaboration can look like, while taking advantage of the opportunities open to us all.

So, as we reflect on Europe Day 2025, we simply want to say: we are here. We are investing in partnership, and we want to collaborate with you. If you are thinking about your next Horizon proposal, building a new consortium, or simply looking to reconnect with trusted peers – get in touch. Let’s talk, share ideas, and build something together.

We are proud to be part of this international research community. And we look forward to seeing what we can achieve in partnership.

Co-authored by Charlotte Kedslie, Head of International Relations and Joe Galloway, Research Support Manager, Overseas Funders