The UK has launched a new campaign in Spain and Germany to highlight the benefits of working with UK researchers and business through Horizon Europe.

Horizon Europe is the world’s largest programme of research collaboration, worth over £82 billion and running until 2027.

British, German and Spanish colleagues have already worked together on ESCALATE – a project funded through Horizon Europe’s predecessor looking at the development of economical and practical electric HGVs. 

The new campaign will help to connect the UK to Spanish and German researchers and businesses, helping projects to successfully gain Horizon funding.

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: "Horizon Europe is a brilliant vehicle for advancing world-leading science and research, both in terms of the funding that’s available, and the opportunities it offers for innovators from across Europe and beyond to work closely together.

"I want the UK to be the partner of choice, to everyone involved in the programme. As home to some of the world’s greatest universities and research institutes, and with the second-highest number of Nobel prize winners globally, we have deep strengths in R&D. If we pool that strength, everyone stands to benefit – and in today’s fast-moving world, it’s more important than ever that we do so."

Florian Pampel, Research Associate at RWTH Aachen University, said: "As part of the ESCALATE EU project we collaborated among others with Electra on the development of a standardized battery-electric powertrain. During our definition and design of a modular and scalable battery layout, Electra’s expertise on various vehicle-related technical features and constraints proved highly valuable. This synergy has resulted in a trustful relationship, also with the other consortium partners involved, which will enable further joint activities beyond the scope of the project."