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The UK¡¯s universities indeed benefit from European research funding. But this funding is not dependent on membership of the European Union (¡°Universities UK to ramp up EU campaign¡±, 8 May).

Norway, for example, although not in the EU, benefits from EU framework programmes. The European Commission¡¯s National Report on Joint and Open Programmes: Norway (2011) says: ¡°In general Norwegian research policy is strongly dedicated to international collaboration and in particular the participation in EU initiatives. In the period 1996 to 2005, the share of the EU Framework programme increased from 12 to 34 per cent of the total RCN [Research Council of Norway] budget for international cooperation.¡±

Will Podmore
Wanstead