But it hasn't stopped paying in money, and the EU could easily strike a separate deal to allow continued participation in Horizon 2020 if it wanted to.
My point stands: the EU allocates research funding based on political concerns that have nothing to do with science. And that needs to stop.
Research/Science is one of THE main political topics for every country and also for the EU (and other European institutions involved in science). 'Science' was never and will never be free of political concerns. It's just the opposite.
> continued participation in Horizon 2020
My impression was that the UK wanted to distance itself from the 'EU superstate'. Research is just one topic. Get rid of centrally planned and funded research projects, which are for the political benefit of the EU. ;-)
> if it wanted to.
'cherry picking'. Probably easier for Britain to concentrate on non-EU research projects. Since they save money from not paying to the EU, the UK can now freely invest that money into their own research projects and attract partners.
My point stands: the EU allocates research funding based on political concerns that have nothing to do with science. And that needs to stop.