The UK has recently become a participant in the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC), a collaborative initiative involving 35 countries. This program provides businesses and researchers with access to supercomputer resources and funding opportunities, facilitated by Horizon Europe.
Having rejoined Horizon Europe in September 2023 after a three-year hiatus following the European referendum, the UK now stands to benefit from enhanced access to EuroHPC facilities and funding. This includes access to the Horizon Europe-funded portion of EuroHPC, valued at over £770 million.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology Michelle Donelan expressed enthusiasm about the potential of supercomputers to drive advancements in various sectors, such as healthcare and energy security. She emphasized the importance of providing British researchers and businesses with access to cutting-edge computing resources, positioning the UK as a science and technology powerhouse.
While participation in EuroHPC entails match-funding from the UK on a case-by-case basis, the move aligns with the UK’s broader strategy of fostering collaboration and innovation in science and technology. This follows the UK’s recent involvement in the European Chips Joint Undertaking, another Horizon Europe-backed initiative aimed at supporting semiconductor businesses and researchers.