THE CONNECTS-UK TIMELINE

This page shows a timeline with the initiatives that CONNECTS-UK has developed in the last two years, with a focus on our advocacy work.

We specifically display the publication of policy statements and advocacy materials in the context of CONNECTS-UK’s multiple initiatives, the EU research diasporas organisations’s activities, and the policy milestones relevant to EU-UK relations.

In this timeline you will find:

💡CONNECTS-UK Policy-Relevant Events/Participations
📄CONNECTS-UK Policy Documents
⭐Policy Milestones/Develpments

October, 2022

1st Annual Meeting of the European Scientific Diasporas in the UK

November, 2023

2nd Annual Meeting of the European Scientific Diasporas in the UK

January, 2024

UK Rejoining Horizon Europe

April, 2024

CONNECTS-UK
Launch event

May, 2024

1st European Researchers in the UK Event

June, 2024

1st EU Diasporas Meeting (internal)

Statement on The 2024 Elections: Shaping the Future of Research Collaboration between the EU and UK

Tandem Scheme

European Parliament elections

July, 2024

Statement on The 2024 Elections: Labour’s New Approach to EU-UK Relations and the Imperative for Scientific and Research Priorities

UK General Election and change of government

September, 2024

Ambassadors
for Science

October, 2024

1st Open Forum: Democratic Backsliding

Publication of The Pivotal Role of EU Research Diasporas in EU-UK Scientific and Diplomatic Relations in the journal Science & Diplomacy

Informative Session: The research career in Spain

November, 2024

2nd EU Diasporas Meeting (internal)

3rd Annual Meeting of the European Scientific Diasporas in the UK

2nd Open Forum: “AI: what does it mean for research, for society and for you?”

December, 2024

Publication of Relevant Data on EU-UK Migration Trends

January, 2025

Native Scientists Same Migrant Community workshops

February, 2025

CONNECTS-UK participation in Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence Event on School of Diplomacy series: Scientific Diplomacy

March, 2025

2nd European Researchers in the UK Event

Statement on The Discussions within the UK Parliament about a potential EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme Agreement

Informative Session: Workshop on MSCA Individual Fellowships

UK Parliament talks about EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme Agreement

April, 2025

3rd Open Forum: “Emerging challenges and solutions in healthcare”

May, 2025

3rd EU Diasporas Meeting (internal)

Statement on The EU-UK Summit and the potential Youth Mobility Scheme Agreement

CONNECTS-UK participation in Youth Mobility between the UK and the EU debate at Europe House

EU-UK Summit

June, 2025

4th EU Diasporas Meeting (internal)

4th Open Forum: “Global Economics: History is Not the Past”

CONNECTS-UK participation at Universities UK Event at Imperial College London dedicated to Horizon Europe and EU funding

Publication of Immigration White Paper

“The Emotional Brain” (SRUK/CERU event)

July, 2025

CONNECTS-UK participation at the EU Citizens Gathering at the University of Manchester, collaborating with European Movement UK

5th Open Forum: “From Climate Crisis to Action: Adapting to a Changing World”

August, 2025

Publication of Stakeholder map: The CONNECTS-UK platform and its organisational network

Publication FP10 proposal by the European Commission

September, 2025

“European Minds, British Ventures: Scientific Diasporas and Startups in the UK”
(Polonium Foundation)

Statement on The European Commission’s draft proposal for FP10

CONNECTS-UK shortlisted for EmpowerEU Awards

October, 2025

Statement on The Recent Announcements regarding Changes to Settlement Rules following the 2025 Immigration White Paper

Navigating the future of UK-EU scientific relations: Challenges and opportunities
(SRUK/CERU event)

European Commission issues a Call for Evidence on the European Framework for Science Diplomacy

“Plural Horizons: Diversity as a Catalyst for Innovation”
(PARSUK event)

“Science Communication in the Age of AI and Knowledge Equity”
(SRUK/CERU event)

“Niches, Networking & Next-Gen”
(SRUK/CERU event)

Publication of “Best Practices and Recommendations for the Sustainability of EU Research Diaspora Organisations in the UK“

Publication of Policy Note on Supporting EU Research Diaspora Organisations in the UK

November, 2025

Publication of contribution to Call for Evidence for the European Framework for Science Diplomacy

6th Open Forum: “Ancient Wisdom, Indigenous Knowledge and Modern Science: Plant Biotechnology for Food Security”

Autumn Budget is published: introduction of levy for international fees in England and Wales from 2028/2029 academic year

December, 2025

Statement on The 2025 Autumn Budget and its Implications for
Higher Education and EU Students and Researchers in the UK

UK rejoining Erasmus+ in 2027

January, 2026

4th Annual Meeting of the European Scientific Diasporas in the UK

“Criminal Organisations and AI: The State of Research in the EU and UK”
(AISUK event)

February, 2026

Publication of “Guide for EU researchers moving to the UK“

February, 2026

Publication of “The Experiences, Challenges, and Perceptions of EU Researchers in the UK in the Post-Brexit Landscape

CONNECTS-UK
Closing Event

“Science without Borders: Careers and Collaboration after Brexit”
(AISUK event)

March, 2026

Publication of “Understanding EU Research Diaspora Organisations: Science Diplomacy, Strategic Priorities, and Member Perspectives”

Coordinated by:
Virginia Alejandra Amigo Dotras
Policy and Research Analyst

Layout and Design:
Hugo Coria
Events and Communications Officer

This timeline was produced by CONNECTS-UK (Connecting European Communities Through Science in the UK), an action co-funded by the European Union dedicated to reinforcing the network of European researchers in the UK and promoting EU-UK scientific cooperation.

We formally acknowledge the financial support provided by the project’s sponsors: the European Union, the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the Santander Foundation, and the embassies of France, Italy, and the Netherlands in the UK.

We extend our sincere thanks to the national EU research diaspora organisations that are part of CONNECTS-UK:

French Education and Research Network in the UK (FERN-UK) — France
Finnish Science Society in the United Kingdom — Finland
Association of Italian Scientists in the UK (AISUK) — Italy
Dutch Network of Academics in the UK (DNA in UK) — The Netherlands
Polonium Foundation — Poland
Portuguese Association of Researchers and Students in the UK (PARSUK) — Portugal
Society of Spanish Researchers in the UK (SRUK/CERU) — Spain
Association of Slovenians Educated Abroad (VTIS) — Slovenia