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

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

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

Nomination of EU Court of Auditors member may end uncertainty over who is in charge of Horizon planning, after resignation of Gabriel

Challenge-driven programmes in cancer, climate change and smart cities are not working out as planned. To be successful they need to pull in outside funding, says new EU research head Marc Lemaître. A progress report is due out next week

New report by the European Court of Auditors shows battery R&D is uncoordinated, leaving gaps and leading to duplication of effort

It’s likely the Commission will dip into the research programme’s budget for its new sovereignty fund – and this won’t be the first time money has been diverted to other causes. Flexibility to respond to changing circumstances is important, but when is enough, enough?

Talks are dragging on, and the government evidently is not optimistic about agreeing association this side of the summer recess