
Geniuses wanted: UK universities share £54m fund to lure top researchers
The Global Talent Fund, administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aims to attract up to 80 researchers in high-priority sectors such as life sciences and digital technologies.
The 12 selected universities and research institutions across Britain have secured an equal share of the fund. They are: Bath, Queen's Belfast, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Imperial College London, Oxford, Southampton, Strathclyde and Warwick universities, as well as the John Innes Centre and MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology.
The five-year government fund, which starts in 2025/26, will cover all eligible costs with no requirement for match funding from research organisations.
Visa and relocation costs for researchers and their family members will be covered by the fund.
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.
'My message to the bold and the brave who are advancing new ideas, wherever they are, is: our doors are open to you.
'We want to work with you, support you, and give you a home where you can make your ideas a reality we all benefit from.'
Chancellor 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.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa invests R365m in new high-speed line in South Africa
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) ( has invested R365m in a new state-of-the-art bottling line capable of producing 72,000 bottles per hour at its plant in Midrand, South Africa. The high-speed production line marks a South African first, producing Bonaqua Pump Still 750ml and Powerade 500ml packs with an innovative sports bottle cap. Beyond this milestone, the line will also produce Bonaqua Still in 330ml and 500ml packs, further driving the company's efforts to expand its hydration category. Underscoring a commitment to innovation, the line will additionally produce the recently launched Powerade Springboks Edition. 'By launching this new line, we strengthen our ability to meet growing consumer demand and create shared value across the local value chain, including for our customers and communities,' said Moses Lubisi, Manufacturing and Technical Director at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), a company in the CCBA group. 'Importantly, this investment reaffirms the Coca-Cola system's local approach – we produce locally, distribute locally and, where possible, source locally.' 'At CCBA, our passion for refreshing the continent drives everything we do,' said Sunil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of CCBA. 'This new production line in South Africa represents a key step in our ambitious growth plans in all our markets on the continent. It enhances our ability to meet consumer needs while reinforcing our commitment to delivering reliability and top-quality beverages across Africa.' To help support the company's environmental goals, the new production line features advanced technology to optimise water and energy use. Additionally, the line required skills training for employees, contributing to the development of a future-ready workforce for both the business and the country. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa. ISSUED BY: Motshidisi Mokwena Head: Reputation and Communication Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa Tel: +27 83 306 0349 Email: mmokwena@ Keli Fernie Head: Reputation and Communication Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Tel: +27 82 419 8766 Email: kfernie@ Follow us on: LinkedIn: About CCBA: CCBA is the eighth largest Coca-Cola authorised bottler in the world by revenue, and the largest on the continent. It accounts for over 40% of all Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverages sold in Africa by volume. With over 18,000 employees in Africa, CCBA group services more than 735,000 customers with a host of international and local brands. CCBA group operates in 15 countries, including its six key markets of South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique and Namibia, as well as Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, the islands of Comoros and Mayotte, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Malawi. Learn more at


The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Trump's Scotland foray clouded by Gaza suffering
Air Force One is set to land in a corner of Scotland late on Friday, with an armoured motorcade ready to ferry US President Donald Trump through police lines to spend the next few days golfing. Mr Trump's trip − his first to the UK since his second term began in January − is a private visit, the main purpose of which appears to be to spend time at his two Scottish golf courses, Trump International at Menie in Aberdeenshire and Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire. But it is unlikely that the President will be isolated from events in the wider world during his golf break. If the TVs at the Trump International clubhouse are showing news channels, the US team will see starvation in Gaza is dominating the news agenda. Keir Starmer is meeting the President on Monday, presenting the British Prime Minister with a dilemma. Mr Starmer is under intense pressure to follow France's lead and recognise a Palestinian state. With Mr Trump largely unapologetic for his military and political support for the Israeli government, his visit will likely be framed by demonstrations with mass protests promised in Scotland's cities. The Scottish government has confirmed that First Minister John Swinney will also meet the President during his visit. Fairway meetings Not being a golfer, Mr Starmer will greet Mr Trump a short drive away from the greens of Turnberry on the Ayrshire coast − where a peak season round costs £1,000 ($1,350) − for lunch and a bilateral meeting. The original plan was to press Britain's case to evade Mr Trump's harshest tariffs, avoiding 25 per cent on steel exports and a potential 200 per cent hike on pharmaceuticals that are worth £9 billion a year to Britain. But the grim news of starvation in Gaza and political momentum over formal Palestinian state recognition mean the Middle East will now top the agenda. It will be a difficult political balancing act for Mr Starmer as America has just pulled out of ceasefire talks with Hamas, while members of the UK leader's cabinet are calling for Palestinian recognition and a much firmer line towards Israel. Scores of MPs from across the UK's political parties have also written a letter urging for the move. Amid this, Mr Starmer will attempt to continue his campaign of seeking to befriend Mr Trump, keeping him onside over support for Ukraine and Nato. There's a possibility that if the pair's chats continue, Mr Starmer might be invited on Air Force One for the short flight to Aberdeenshire, to Trump International at Menie, where the president will open a new course with a round. But in Scotland's cities, anger over the war in Gaza is expected to see thousands turn out in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen to protest. Influencing Trump The politics over Palestine and other issues will be a challenge, former junior foreign minister Tobias Ellwood told The National. 'However much you might disagree with the individual, Mr Trump represents our closest security ally and, therefore, any opportunity to strengthen that bond, as well as take advantage of behind the scenes back-channel communications, should absolutely be leveraged,' said the former Conservative MP. That will provide Mr Starmer with the chance to ask Mr Trump to influence Israel on getting humanitarian aid into Gaza and obtaining a ceasefire. 'It's very difficult to see any of the challenges that we face across the world not moving forward without American involvement,' Mr Ellwood said. 'One thing that Britain has always done well is influencing, giving some thought leadership towards shaping America's opinion. So, this is a welcome opportunity to help shape and finesse American foreign policy, particularly on the Middle East.' Police operation Mr Trump's visit comes weeks after campaign group Palestine Action was banned under UK anti-terrorism laws. Scottish police have already issued a warning that anyone displaying support for the group will be arrested, with police following through on their threat by detaining a protester in Glasgow holding a 'Genocide in PALESTINE Time for ACTION' banner. 'Any support for Palestine Action, be that in terms of clothes worn, be that in terms of banners held, is now an offence under the Terrorism Act and people are liable to arrest for those offences,' said Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond of Police Scotland, who is leading the security operation. Officers have been drafted in from across Britain. More than 5,000 are expected to take part in a five-day operation that is likely to exceed the £14.2m ($19.1) cost of Mr Trump's 2018 visit. Convoys of police vehicles have been seen heading up to Scotland this week from England. Metal fences have been erected around golfing links and vehicle checkpoints set up. Below par? If the 2018 trip sets a precedent, the police will be under even greater pressure given that the Israel-Gaza war is causing political ructions. Back then officers had to contend with protesters booing Mr Trump during a game of golf and hundreds of demonstrators on the perimeter of Turnberry. It was rounded off with a man flying a paraglider over the Turnberry hotel with a banner reading 'Trump: well below par #resist', in breach of the air exclusion zone. Publicity stunts will certainly be attempted again, with groups of protesters gathering, many under the Stop Trump Coalition that has pro-Palestine supporters, trade unionist and anti-Trump demonstrators in its ranks. One organiser highlighted opposition to the plan suggested by Mt Trump to develop Gaza into a tourist resort, with its Palestinian inhabitants moved to Egypt or Jordan. 'We stand in solidarity with the Palestinians who will not be forced out of Gaza so that Trump's 'Riviera of the Middle East' can be built on its mass graves,' the spokesman said. Vance bogey Mr Trump has deep roots in Britain. His mother was from the Outer Hebrides and emigrated to New York aged 18, later marrying his father Fred Trump, a property developer. That heritage stretches too to his Vice President JD Vance, who has Scots-Irish ancestry, and will spend his summer amid the low hills and stone cottages of England's Cotswolds. As with previous holidays in America, Mr Vance is likely to have to contend with demonstrators as he tries to relax with his wife and three young children. 'JD Vance is every bit as unwelcome in the UK as Donald Trump,' said the spokesman for the Stop Trump Coalition. 'We are sure that, even in the Cotswolds, he will find the resistance waiting.' The group said Mr Trump's formal state visit to Britain in September, where he will be accompanied by his wife Melania as they stay at Windsor Castle and dine with King Charles III, will also be met by protests.


Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
IMF sees risk that UK is knocked off course to fix public finances
The International Monetary Fund said Britain's government risked being knocked off course for meeting its targets to repair the public finances and it urged finance minister Rachel Reeves to give herself more leeway through tax or spending measures. In a final version of an annual report on Britain's economy, the IMF said changes introduced by Reeves to the government's deficit reduction plans had enhanced the credibility and effectiveness of fiscal policy. "Risks to this strategy must be carefully managed. In an uncertain global environment and with limited fiscal headroom, fiscal rules could easily be breached if growth disappoints or interest rate shocks materialize," the IMF said. The Fund also said the risk of overly-frequent changes to tax and spending policy could be reduced by changes including the creation of more fiscal room for manoeuvre by Reeves to meet her targets. "The first best (option) would be to maintain more headroom under the rules, so that small changes in the outlook do not compromise assessments of rule compliance," it said. In response to the report, Reeves said in a statement that the Fund had backed her choices for Britain's economy to recover and that her plans would "tackle the deep-rooted economic challenges that we inherited in the face of global headwinds." Reeves is under pressure to raise taxes later this year to remain on course to meet her budget targets, having already increased social security contributions paid by employers and along with revenue-raising measures in late 2024. (Writing by William Schomberg, editing by William James)