The European Commission is standing firm on its plan to exclude researchers from the non-EU countries from “sensitive” parts of the bloc’s upcoming €95.5 billion research programme.

The Commission wants to limit the participation of non-EU entities in 49 actions in the main 2021/22 Horizon work programme, which sets out funding priorities and competitions for the first year of the bloc’s new seven-year science scheme.

Key Commission officials believe exclusions are necessary so the EU can protect its research base in rapidly developing fields.