Robert Jan Smits warns of cuts to EU funding for Unis

By TOM PETERKIN
Published on 28/01/2013 00:48

THE European Commission’s
director general for research has warned that €1.2 billion (£1.4bn) in European funding earmarked for Scottish universities and research institutes over the next seven years is at risk of cuts.

THE European Commission’s director general for research has warned that €1.2 billion (£1.4bn) in European funding earmarked for Scottish universities and research institutes over the next seven years is at risk of cuts.

On a visit to Edinburgh, Robert Jan Smits has expressed fears that Scottish researchers will lose out if European leaders reject plans to increase research funding from €50bn to €80bn.

Last year, the European parliament voted for the increase under the Horizon 2020 funding programme, but there are signs that the proposal could be overturned at a meeting of European Union leaders next month as austerity measures take effect.