The University of Strathclyde has been awarded £4.35 million from UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) new Global Talent Fund to recruit leading international researchers.

Strathclyde is one of 12 research organisations to secure a share of the £54 million fund, established to support researchers working in advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, defence, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional and business services.

The investment will add to Strathclyde’s proven track record in aligning cutting edge research with industrial priorities, and its ability to attract top global talent into key strategic areas such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and financial services – key elements of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

“We welcome this important investment in global talent that UKRI has committed to and the alignment it creates between the new Industrial Strategy and the research and innovation leadership that is critical to its success,” professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde.

“Strathclyde is proud of its position as a leading international technological university. We deliver impact collaboratively by bringing together the excellent, talented people we have at Strathclyde, through working closely with partners in other universities, industrial partners, innovation centres and National Laboratories, and through research that addresses market opportunities and national priorities – from climate resilience and sustainable energy to health innovation, and security and resilience.

“This new funding from UKRI and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology reflects confidence in our ability to translate cutting-edge discovery into real-world applications and solutions, working collaboratively with industry, government and global partners.

“It will enhance our research environment, widen our talent pipeline and further enable our mission as a place of useful learning.”

Starting in the 2025-26 financial year and running for five years, the award will support Strathclyde in rapidly recruiting and embedding more world class international researchers, covering relocation, visa and research costs.

The Global Talent Fund is part of the UK Government’s broader strategy to enhance research capacity and position the UK as a world leading destination for international talent.

Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Genius is not bound by geography. But the UK is one of the few places blessed with the infrastructure, skills base, world-class institutions and international ties needed to incubate brilliant ideas, and turn them into new medicines that save lives, new products that make our lives easier, and even entirely new jobs and industries.

“Bringing these innovations to life, here in Britain, will be critical to delivering this Government’s Plan for Change”

Recommended reading

• UK Businesses Urged to Apply for Share of £82bn Horizon Europe Funding
• UK Researchers Access More Quantum and Space Horizon Funding
• Firms Unprepared for Quantum Computing’s Rapid Rise
• Can Scotland Be Europe’s Leading Space Nation?

The directed funding plan comes afters years of fall out from Brexit, which saw EU student enrolment at UK universities drop by 57% from 2020/2021 to 2023/2024.

Higher international fees and strict visa rules may also deter international talent from studying or researching at the UK, as long term residency options are more limited as the UK government continues to crack down on legal immigration.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “The UK is home to some of the world’s best universities which are vital for attracting international top talent. Supported by our new Global Talent Taskforce, the Global Talent Fund will cement our position as a leading choice for the world’s top researchers to make their home here, supercharging growth and delivering on our Plan for Change.”