Sanger Institute responds to UK Government's position paper on future EU and UK science collaboration
On 6 September 2017 the UK Department for Exiting the European Union published the position paper: “Collaboration on science and innovation: a future partnership paper”. The paper recognises the vital importance of UK science’s central role in current EU collaborations and projects and outlines how the UK government will seek to secure UK’s place future in EU scientific endeavours and innovation.
“The UK will seek to agree a far-reaching science and innovation agreement with the EU that establishes a framework for future collaboration. There are a range of existing precedents for collaboration that the UK and the EU can build on, but our uniquely close relationship means there may be merit in designing a more ambitious agreement”.
Collaboration on science and innovation: a future partnership paperpublished by the Department for Exiting the EU
Below Dr Julia Wilson gives the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute’s response.
“The Government’s partnership paper published yesterday [6 September 2017] highlights the important relationship between international collaboration and excellent science. The UK is a net beneficiary of European research framework funding Which funds the kind of ground-breaking science which is often beyond the scale and scope of one country alone.
“The Sanger Institute’s own BLUEPRINT project was highlighted in the paper as an example of this highly collaborative science with far reaching impact.
“We welcome the Government’s recognition of the crucial role of the EU in UK science. However, UK science does not only rely on funding but on recruiting the best and brightest minds. Protecting the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and creating an environment that welcomes great researchers at all stages of their careers and their families must be a priority for this Government.”
Julia Wilson, associate director of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
More information
Further reading
- Government Position Paper: “Collaboration on science and innovation: a future partnership paper” – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/collaboration-on-science-and-innovation-a-future-partnership-paper
- BBC News Story: Ministers want ‘ambitious’ post-Brexit research deal – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41177176
- Association of Medical Research Charities Response Statement – http://www.amrc.org.uk/
Selected websites
The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is one of the world’s leading genome centres. Through its ability to conduct research at scale, it is able to engage in bold and long-term exploratory projects that are designed to influence and empower medical science globally. Institute research findings, generated through its own research programmes and through its leading role in international consortia, are being used to develop new diagnostics and treatments for human disease.
Wellcome
Wellcome exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive. We’re a global charitable foundation, both politically and financially independent. We support scientists and researchers, take on big problems, fuel imaginations and spark debate.
