ASSOCIATE STATUS TO EU RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

That this House notes with deep concern the growing number of reports of British academics and scientists being asked to leave EU-funded projects or step down from leadership roles due to post-EU referendum funding fears, and of British universities coming under pressure to abandon international collaborations with EU partners; further notes that many non-EU countries, such as Norway, Tunisia and Turkey, have associate status in EU research programmes; believes that an early guarantee to commit to such associate status for the UK would provide the confidence and certainty necessary to British academics and scientists playing a full and active part in EU research programmes; and calls on the Government to act urgently to reassure the European Directorate-General for Research and Innovation and the European Research Council that Government support for EU research programmes will continue during any negotiations resulting from the EU referendum outcome.