Brexit

We worked with EU institutions, the UK government, the research sector and others to achieve a Brexit settlement that allows research to thrive in the UK and Europe.

Our position 

Knowledge and understanding don’t stop at borders. Nations will always achieve more together than separately, whatever the legal agreements that exist between them. 

We advocated for a Brexit settlement that included UK access to EU research funding, reciprocal immigration arrangements for researchers, and continued cooperation on life sciences regulation.

What does the UK-EU deal mean for research and health?

Read our analysis of the post-Brexit trade deal [PDF 126KB] and how it delivers for the UK-EU research sector. 

Timeline of key dates 

2021

April

March

2020

December

  • We welcome the announcement of a trade deal between the UK and EU. The deal confirms the UK will participate in Horizon Europe.

November 

October

July

February

January

2019

November

May

February

January

2018

December

  • Our Head of UK and EU Policy, Beth Thompson, gives evidence to the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee on the impact of Brexit on funding for research. Read the written submission [PDF 479KB].

November

October

June

May 

February 

January 

  • Alongside the Royal Society, we bring together 30 European research leaders [PDF 780KB] at Chicheley Hall. We present our Future Partnership Project consultation and evidence synthesis, and produce a joint vision for a practical and ambitious future UK-EU partnership. 
  • With the Intergovernmental Network for Government Science Advice, we host a roundtable event [PDF 297KB] to explore the future of UK-EU scientific and technical advice, and evidence-informed policy making. 

2017

December 

  • Alongside Science Europe, we host a private dinner in Brussels [PDF 289KB] to identify priorities for a future UK-EU partnership. The Royal Society hosts a parallel dinner in London the following day. 
  • In a joint statement, we back calls for the government to ensure post-Brexit immigration rules will allow the UK to continue to recruit highly trained technical staff.

November 

October 

September 

August 

  • The UK government releases a range of position papers on customs arrangements, legal arrangements and data protection following Brexit. Natalie Banner highlights the importance of continuing to share data in Research Professional

June 

May 

April 

March 

  • Article 50 is triggered, starting the formal process of the UK leaving the EU.
  • We publish an update from Jeremy Farrar on our position and work to make sure science flourishes in a post-Brexit world.  

January 

  • Jeremy Farrar sets out the critical issues that need to be resolved for the UK to attract the world’s finest scientists in a joint comment article in The Times with the Director of Cancer Research UK, Harpal Kumar.
  • We give evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry: Brexit: regulation and standards (oral evidence).

2016

  • We give evidence to two House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiries: Leaving the EU: implications and opportunities for science and research (written and oral evidence), and EU regulation of the life sciences (written and oral evidence).
  • We give evidence to the House of Lords inquiry: The relationship between EU membership and the effectiveness of science, research and innovation in the UK (written and oral evidence). 

More information 

Catch up with news about our UK and EU policy work.

Contact us 

If you have any questions, contact Martin Smith

m.smith@wellcome.org