The current transition phase began on 01.02.2020 and will in all probability end on 31.12.2020. In the meantime nothing will change. All EU rules continue to apply to the UK during this period. The country has pledged to meet its payment obligations for the EU budget 2014-2020.

• UK institutions can continue to participate in programmes such as Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 until the end of the current programme generation.
• EU funding for the projects is secured for their entire duration, including beyond 2020.
• Only in the case of security-relevant research projects with sensitive data the EU Commission reserves itself the right to terminate the partnership with the United Kingdom prematurely.
• Mobility projects funded under the Erasmus+ 2020 call can now run for 34 months instead of the usual 24 months. The arrangement made against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic allows for an extension of the duration period until 31 March 2023 at the latest.
• Erasmus+ cooperation projects in the funding lines of key actions 2 and 3 and Erasmus Mundus as well as Jean Monnet activities funded under the current generation of programmes are also eligible for EU funding for the entire project duration of two to three years.
• Students studying in the academic year 2020/2021 still pay the home fees even if they enter the UK after 01.01.2021 or start the course (because of Corona) in January. You can also apply for tuition fee loans in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The EU’s draft agreement on the new partnership with the United Kingdom covers all areas of negotiations, including participation in EU programmes:

• There should be no discrimination between EU Member States in the mobility, especially of students and researchers within the framework of EU programmes.
• EU citizens must not be subject to unjustified administrative or financial burdens when travelling to and within the UK.
• Participants should have the same rights as British citizens in the implementation of the programmes, including with regard to any fees associated with participation in an activity funded by the programme.

Outside the EU programmes, the draft contains provisions on the mobility of students and researchers. The Parties should reciprocally guarantee provisions on entry and residence in the other country for a period exceeding 90 days for the purpose of study or research.

Earlier this year, Commission President von der Leyen expressed the wish that in future “as many study exchanges and joint research projects as possible are feasible for young people in the EU and the UK” (to the speech).

The United Kingdom indicates in its negotiation directives that it will consider participating as a third country in selected EU programmes, including the future EU research framework programme Horizon Europe, if it is in the mutual interest of both parties.

For Erasmus+, options for participation in parts of the programme for a limited period of time will be considered, provided that the conditions for participation are in line with British interests.

More on the UK’s position