Brexit tore apart European science — now the research rifts are healing

Ten years after the UK voted to leave the EU, signs of healing in their research relationship are emerging. The UK will rejoin the Erasmus+ exchange scheme in 2027, and its share of funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe program has started to recover since rejoining in 2024. Although UK participation in EU research projects had declined post-Brexit, it has been increasing. The Labour government is working to strengthen UK-EU science relations, with talks aimed at reaching agreements on science-related issues. However, the UK’s role in European research has not fully returned to its pre-Brexit status, and further talks have stalled, particularly around the youth mobility scheme. Despite funding improvements, rebuilding the UK’s research credibility and networks remains challenging. QUESTION: How might the evolving UK-EU research relationship impact future opportunities for young researchers in the UK?