Published in July 2019, the Report sets out a high-level framework for international collaboration in research, in the event that the UK does not associate with the EU’s forthcoming research fund ‘Horizon Europe’, following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Horizon Europe is a seven-year research initiative that will succeed the current ‘Horizon 2020’ research programme.

The Report states that the focus on excellence in UK research has delivered economic and social benefits across the UK, with a strong record of past collaboration with Europe valued highly across the research and innovation community. International collaboration is fundamental to the delivery of excellence in research and to attract overseas talent, therefore, the UK’s ability to collaborate internationally will be of utmost importance following Brexit. The Report recognises the importance of EU funding in supporting local economic development in the UK in previous decades. In addition to setting out a vision for future research funding, the Report recommends the integration of the Shared Prosperity Fund with the Innovate UK agenda, along with the creation of new major centres of research and innovation, to drive economic development in the regions and help to address regional inequality.