With signs a deal is being agreed on the Northern Ireland Protocol, association could be near. But having been shut out of Horizon Europe for two years, the UK hopes to renegotiate financial terms, and wants talks to start now

The Commission’s former regional development chief moves over to head the research directorate, amid hopes his experience in Cohesion policy will be applied to bridge east-west disparities in research and innovation

Marc Lemaître’s switch from head of the regional development directorate general to DG Research has raised hopes that synergies between funding programmes will finally be improved

The country wants to double collaboration with the EU, and Kiwi researchers are excited about starting new projects. But the challenge of controlling costs, parliamentary scrutiny and sheer distance could all present obstacles

Seven ministers are due to step down from positions on public trust foundations, but whether this will allay EU rule of law concerns is not yet clear

Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, argues Washington’s vast green tech stimulus makes UK association to Horizon Europe crucial. There are signs London and Brussels are edging towards a broader agreement

Long-running frustration from MEPs with the Commission bubbles over as Christian Ehler says that agreement will prevent Parliament from scrutinising future association deals

Luxembourger Marc Lemaître will lead the Commission’s research directorate as EU’s €95.5 billion research framework approaches key milestones

Success rates are up, UK and Swiss participation down, and Widening countries edge up to the EU 27 average. And on the third anniversary of Brexit, the UK’s five top universities, usually among the biggest winners of EU R&D funding, are feeling the pinch