After a two-year stand-off, followed by a wave of optimism when the stalemate over Northern Ireland trading arrangements finally ended back in March, a deal on UK association seems to be getting closer. So what took so long?

Media reports of a draft deal between the two sides remain unconfirmed by EU officials, but various groups in the research community have welcomed positive signs

A recent conference brought together representatives of both countries’ research communities and government officials, leading to talks of building closer ties

The EEA and Norway Grants have carved out a niche supporting start-ups from the Widening countries that are looking for international collaboration and green prestige

The National Science Centre is calling for its overall budget to be doubled to €673M, saying it is now regularly having to turn down excellent proposals from researchers. The situation ‘has never been so dire’ its director tells Science|Business

Start-ups that were unable to pitch their projects for a month after the €7B EU innovation fund shut down its submissions platform with no prior warning can now go ahead  

Appointment of new research commissioner has been pushed into the autumn, with MEPs on the industry and culture committees not expected to organise a joint hearing until September at the earliest

EU research ministers are to focus on embedding science in key policy areas and on research cooperation in the Mediterranean and Latin America during Spain’s six-month stint leading the Council

France is short of business angels. Now, a new report is suggesting there should be UK-style tax breaks for private investors, in a bid to raise €3B and bridge the investment gap in advanced technology start-ups

Incoming research and education boss Iliana Ivanova will have long list of priorities to attend to, from fending off Horizon Europe budget cuts to shaping the next research framework