The science, research and innovation sector and preparing for a no-deal EU Exit

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there may be changes that affect your business, university, research institute or other research organisation.

Published 14 February 2019

From:: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Your business may need to make changes before the UK leaves the EU. Please visit Prepare for EU Exit to find more detailed guidance on policy changes relevant to your sector and to sign up for updates.

European and domestic funding

Current Horizon 2020 grant holders

The government has committed to underwrite funding for Horizon 2020 projects submitted while we are still a member of the EU.

If you’re a UK organisation receiving Horizon 2020 funding you need to register your details. This will make sure that we:

have initial information about you and your project to underwrite guarantee payments if needed
can keep you updated about what you need to do next

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will manage the information you provide and update you as the process develops.

For help registering multiple grants, you can email the UKRI grants team at EUGrantsFunding@ukri.org.

Horizon 2020 applicants after EU exit

The government has extended the guarantee to cover funding Horizon 2020 projects where UK organisations are able to participate as a third country. This extension runs from 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) until the end of 2020.

Read the guidance on Horizon 2020 funding if there’s no Brexit deal.

Your employees

Employing EU workers

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, EU citizens who are resident in the UK before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to get settled or pre-settled status, which will mean they can continue to live, work and study in the UK.

The scheme will be open to applications from 30 March 2019 and EU workers must apply by 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

You can use the EU Settlement Scheme guidance for employers to give further information to your employees.

Applying for skilled-work or unskilled-work visas

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there will be a new process for EU citizens arriving in the UK before 31 December 2020. From 1 January 2021, a new skills-based immigration system will launch.

For non-EU nationals, EU Exit will not affect the application process for work visas.

Travelling to the EU

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, British passport holders travelling to the EU will need to have 6 months remaining validity on their passport, not including any extra months added to a 10 year passport if it was renewed early.

Read guidance about travelling to the EU with a UK passport if the UK leaves the EU without a deal and check your passport to see if you need to renew earlier than planned.