Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has he made of potential opportunities for research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences through Horizon Europe.

Space research in Horizon Europe is covered under Pillar 2, in the cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space’. DSIT encourages UK researchers to take part in the available funding opportunities to support international cooperation.

The EU has restricted the participation of associated countries in a small part of the programme, which includes some calls focused on space technology. DSIT is working constructively with the EU to address these restrictions. We do not pay for areas in which we do not participate.

Making Horizon Europe association a success is DSIT’s priority and DSIT is working to boost UK participation and remove barriers to international R&D collaborations.