The science, research and innovation sector and preparing for Brexit
Your business, university, research institute or other research organisation may need to make changes before the UK leaves the EU.
Visit Get ready for Brexit to find more detailed guidance on policy changes relevant to your sector.
European and domestic funding
Current Horizon 2020 grant holders
The government has committed to underwrite funding for Horizon 2020 projects submitted while we are still a member of the EU.
If you’re a UK organisation receiving Horizon 2020 funding you need to register your details. This will make sure that we:
- have initial information about you and your project to underwrite guarantee payments if needed
- can keep you updated about what you need to do next
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will manage the information you provide and update you as the process develops.
For help registering multiple grants, you can email the UKRI grants team at EUGrantsFunding@ukri.org.
Horizon 2020 applicants after Brexit
The government has extended the guarantee to cover funding Horizon 2020 projects where UK organisations are able to participate as a third country. This extension runs from the day the UK leaves the EU until the end of 2020.
Read the guidance on Horizon 2020 funding after Brexit.
Your employees
Employing EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
Right to work checks
You should continue to carry out the same right to work checks on all EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, by using their passport or national identity card, until January 2021.
You will not need to distinguish between EU/EEA and Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK before or after the UK leaves the EU.
Find out how to check an applicant’s right to work and read the guidance on employing EU, EEA and Swiss citizens after Brexit.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK before the UK leaves the EU
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens who are resident in the UK before the UK leaves the EU will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to get settled or pre-settled status. This will mean they can continue to live, work and study in the UK.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens must apply by 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
You can use the EU Settlement Scheme guidance for employers to give further information to your employees.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens who arrive in the UK after the UK leaves the EU
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens arriving in the UK from Exit Day to 31 December 2020 can continue to come to the UK, to live, work and study without applying for a visa in advance.
After free movement ends, if they want to stay for longer than 3 months, they can read the guidance on staying in the UK to find out what they’ll need to do.
Irish citizens can continue to live, work and study in the UK, just as before.
From 1 January 2021, a new skills-based immigration system will launch.
For non-EU nationals, Brexit will not affect the application process for work visas.
Business travel
Check the guidance for travellers visiting the EU to find out what you need to do when going abroad for work.
National research bodies
UK Research and Innovation
The British Academy
The Royal Society
Royal Academy of Engineering
Academy of Medical Sciences