International funding, collaboration & chemicals regulation

Science is an international endeavour and collaborative in nature. It can offer the widest benefits to society when researchers from different backgrounds, be that country, sector or discipline, come together to share knowledge and expertise. This section includes all of the policy and influencing work we do on international collaboration.

Horizon Europe: Our policy and influencing work

RSC news articles, reactions and opinion pieces

You can explore relevant RSC news articles, reactions and opinion pieces on the UK's association to Horizon Europe in the links below.

• Royal Society of Chemistry responds to the UK Government’s Pioneer programme prospectus publication (April 2023)

• Learned societies’ joint action on Horizon Europe association (April 2023)

• UK Government and EU Commission must swiftly finalise UK Horizon Europe association (March 2023)

• An opportunity to put science truly at the heart of government (February 2023)

• Loss of £1.6bn fund further threatens “science superpower” ambition (February 2023)

• Science should be at the heart of UK Government’s plan to drive economic growth (October 2022)

• Response to the Government’s ‘Supporting UK R&D and collaborative research beyond European programmes’ paper (July 2022)

• Joint letter to Chancellor and BEIS on Horizon Europe association and alternatives (July 2022)

• Horizon Europe: Where are we now? (June 2022)

UK alternative package to Horizon Europe that works for the chemical sciences

RSC policy position - February 2023

Longer-term alternatives to Horizon Europe must deliver the same combination of benefits for both UK researchers and the UK more widely. This briefing sets out the RSC's recommendations for a UK alternative package to Horizon Europe.

Senedd Cymru Finance Committee’s Parliamentary inquiry on Post-EU funding arrangements

Our response - April 2022

We responded to the Senedd Cymru Finance Committee’s inquiry on Post-EU funding arrangements. Our main messages were that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must support research and innovation to secure sustainable regional growth.

Any shortfall in research and innovation regional development funding in Wales or other UK nations and regions compared to funding levels before EU exit which is not met by UKSPF should be replaced from other funds to ensure that the UK research and innovation landscape does not suffer; and the Welsh Government must work with the UK Government in continuing to push for association to Horizon Europe.

Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and UK

RSC policy position - January 2021

The EU and the UK reached a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on 24 December 2020. This sets the framework for the relationship between them after the post-Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020. Read our position on the TCA and what it means for the chemical sciences.

RSC briefing: Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and UK

Impacts of Horizon Europe uncertainty on UK chemistry

RSC policy position - November 2020

The UK R&D community has been operating in ambiguity for the past 4 years. Despite the UK government’s ambition to be "at the forefront of global collaboration in its R&D", researchers in our community are feeling the reality of long-term uncertainty over future UK participation in EU research and innovation programmes. We have brought together evidence from our community of the impact of this uncertainty:

Alternatives to Horizon Europe Funding

RSC policy position - July 2020

If the UK does not associate then domestic alternatives to replace the benefits of Horizon Europe will be needed. From evidence collected on the UK chemical sciences' participation in the current framework programme, Horizon 2020, we have brought together recommendations on what these alternatives might look like:

Benefits of UK association to Horizon Europe

RSC policy position - July 2019

Access to European Union (EU) research and development framework programmes for universities and businesses enhances our global competitiveness by supporting UK scientists to forge links and collaborations between countries, sectors and subjects. We recommend that the UK should associate fully to Horizon Europe.

What would leaving the EU with No Deal mean for science and innovation?

RSC policy position - March 2019

A briefing on ‘no deal’ and its possible effects on UK chemical sciences.

International collaborations create chemistry

Case studies and briefing - October 2018 and April 2021

We have developed a series of case studies that show the vital role that UK participation in EU science programmes plays in strengthening international collaboration. These stories from across academia and businesses reveal the benefits, not just for the UK, but for partner countries and the international community more widely, helping to develop new medicines, protect the air we breathe and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

International collaboration

Smith-Reid review on a future framework for international collaboration: Changes and Choices

Independent review response - July 2019

We responded to the independent review on future UK funding schemes for international collaboration, innovation and research. Our response drew upon the evidence base that we have collated from across our diverse chemistry community, representing those in academia, industry and other sectors, based in the UK and beyond.

The UK immigration system should help employers to attract the skilled workers they need from the global talent pool by removing as many operational barriers as possible, decreasing associated costs and promoting a welcoming atmosphere.

The UK should always seek ambitious reciprocal arrangements with future trading partners on short and long-term mobility for scientists and researchers.

Royal Society of Chemistry position on mobilty and immigration

RSC policy position - April 2020

The updated RSC policy position on immigration reaffirms that we remain committed to the easy movement of skilled scientists, and of students, to and from the UK. Our recommendations are:

1. The new immigration system should always seek to streamline the visa application process as much as possible so that it is accessible for employers of all sizes. It should seek to decrease associated costs and promote a welcoming attitude to attract the best and brightest.
2. Science is increasingly international and is best done in collaboration across borders so scientists and researchers are able to exchange knowledge and have access to the best facilities. The UK should seek ambitious reciprocal mobility arrangements with future trading partners across the world in order to enable scientists to move around and to collaborate on both a long and short-term basis.

Doing so will send a powerful message that the UK is committed to its status as a global leader in science and innovation, and that it wants to attract the best and brightest from around the world.

Immigration in the UK

The UK Government implemented a new immigration system for EEA and non-EEA citizens wanting to work or study in the UK from 1 January 2021. The government advises employers who want access to the overseas skilled labour market to consider getting approved now as a visa sponsor. You can read more information for employers.

The new immigration systems contain points-based and preferential routes. The most appropriate route will be dependent on the individual circumstances of the role or individual:

• Global Talent - you can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you’re a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields: academia or research, arts and culture, digital technology
• Skilled Worker  - a Skilled Worker Visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa
• International students and graduates you can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you: have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor, have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances, can speak, read, write and understand English, have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 - you’ll need evidence of this when you apply
• Innovator  - you can apply for an Innovator visa if;
  • you want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK (it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market)
  • your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body
  • you meet the other eligibility requirements

We expect high standards of human health and environmental protection to continue in the UK. Formal mechanisms to ensure the best scientific evidence and advice informs decision-making for chemicals policy must be in place as soon as possible in 2021.  

We encourage active cooperation between the UK and EU on chemicals in terms of data sharing and technical cooperation. 

Regulatory Divergence

February 2020

Following EU departure, the impact on the future of chemicals regulation in the UK must be considered, alongside the possibility of divergence from EU regulations. Any divergence from EU regulations must be based on a harmonised evidence-base, put safety first and placed in the context of a longer-term UK chemicals strategy.

RSC briefing - Regulatory Divergence in the Chemicals Sector

The House of Lords share our concerns regarding a UK Approach to REACH in a no deal Brexit

March 2019

We briefed peers ahead of the House of Lords debate on 26 March, on the establishment of UK REACH regulations via secondary legislative changes to the EU withdrawal bill.

The Royal Society of Chemistry calls for chemicals regulation that achieves a balance between nurturing innovation, protecting the environment and human health, and enabling the UK to trade internationally. Should a no deal scenario arise, we call for pragmatic and evidence-based decision-making that is harmonised with EU outcomes in chemicals regulation.

We have three primary asks regarding the additional responsibilities being transferred to the Health and Safety Executive. We ask that the UK government:

1. Set out its plans to ensure HSE has adequate scientific capability to take on increased decision-making responsibilities and act as the national regulator.
2. Clarify how the UK will seek to aid harmonisation of its scientific evidence base with the EU in a no deal scenario.
3. Set out plans for a fully transparent decision-making process, guided by clear principles. 

Briefing to the House of Lords debate on the REACH SI 26 March 2019

Chemicals Regulation and EU Exit: the need for close partnerships

October 2018

We provided input into the House of Lords EU Exit Energy & Environment Select Committee in the form of two letters into their inquiry on ‘The Future of Chemical Management and Regulation Post EU Exit’. These two letters cover our positions on chemicals regulation as we leave the European Union.

Scientists and good science are at the heart of chemicals regulation.

We call for regulation that achieves a balance between nurturing innovation, protecting the environment and human health, and enables international trade. In particular, we call for

1. Uninterrupted and continued full participation of UK nominated scientific experts in the work of all ECHA’s scientific and technical committees and in the important scientific work of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), which underpins chemicals regulation.
2. Effective and continued data sharing: to assist in harmonised decision-making for chemicals regulation.
3. A future partnership in which the EU and UK work together to raise global standards for chemicals regulation.

We ask pertinent questions around data sharing, evaluation and the expert science advice mechanisms that will need to be in place going forward.

RSC Chemicals Regulation Letter 1 (August 2018)

RSC Chemicals Regulation Letter 2 (October 2018)

EU exit and Chemicals Regulation

November 2017

Amongst other lines of evidence, scientific data and expertise will continue to be crucial in enabling the development and implementation of chemicals regulation.

In our briefing paper, we share the learnings from our workshop on EU exit and regulation and describe the next steps for us as we move forward, focusing on the science that underpins regulation.

Briefing and Our Next Steps

EAC Inquiry - Future of Chemicals Regulation after the EU referendum

January - October 2017

We submitted comprehensive and informative written and oral evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Commission inquiry into ‘The Future of Chemicals Regulation after the EU Referendum’. We highlight that:

1. The UK needs a clear, simple and enforceable regulatory framework relating to chemicals that balances the needs of research, innovation and trade with protecting citizens, wildlife and the environment;
2. It is critical for the chemicals sector to establish how regulatory decisions will be made in the UK post-EU exit, including how expert scientific input will feed in and how data will continue to be accessed;
3. It is vital that UK scientists continue to work actively and internationally to stay at the forefront of providing sound evidence into chemicals regulation, in the UK and globally.

Explore our evidence:

  The Future of Chemicals Regulation after the EU Referendum – Oral Evidence

The Future of Chemicals Regulation after the EU Referendum – Written Submission (Jan 2017)

The Future of Chemicals Regulation after the EU Referendum – Written Submission (Oct 2017)