The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, UK Research and Innovation and Science Minister Lord Vallance have announced ten international researchers joining UK organisations through the Global Talent Fund, alongside Horizon Europe figures showing the UK funding share rose to 9.3% in 2024.
The announcement was published on 5 June 2026 and covers UK research organisations, visa routes and international research collaboration. It brings together new Global Talent Fund appointments with updated performance figures from Horizon Europe.
The latest cohort includes researchers moving to UK institutions from the United States, Israel, Austria, Germany and Singapore. Their work spans clean energy, life sciences, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, creative industries and quantum research.
Global Talent Fund Expands UK Research Capacity
The Global Talent Fund is supporting ten further international researchers to take up roles at UK research organisations. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the fund is designed to attract leading research talent in areas linked to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
The fund has a dedicated pot of £54 million and was launched last summer, when eight researchers had already been announced. The latest update means all 12 Global Talent Fund research organisations have now recruited international candidates.
- Research areas: The new roles cover life sciences, clean energy, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing and creative industries.
- Programme delivery: The department said the recruitment milestone shows all participating organisations have secured international candidates.
Researchers Join Universities And National Institutions
The new cohort includes appointments at Strathclyde, Cambridge, Birmingham, Warwick, Oxford, Bath and Southampton. The Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge is also receiving one of the researchers.
Professor Bryony DuPont will join Strathclyde from Oregon State University to use AI to improve energy systems and resilience. Dr Ivana Bukvin will join the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology from Stanford University to research proteins linked to ageing and neurodegeneration.
Other awardees include Professor Dimitris Angelakis, whose work focuses on scalable quantum computing and quantum-enhanced AI, and Dr Giorgio Adamo, who works in advanced nanophotonics. The department said the investment also supports new research teams, facilities and start-up resources.
Visa Route Expansion Supports R&D Recruitment
UKRI is expanding the Global Talent visa fast-track route to support international researchers and R&D-intensive employers. The announcement said the route will cover remaining Association for Innovation, Research and Technology Organisation members from the start of June, including IBM.
By the end of July, the route is expected to expand to around 100 R&D-intensive businesses. The government said this will support sectors from the Industrial Strategy, including advanced manufacturing and digital and technologies.
- June expansion: The fast-track route will cover remaining Association for Innovation, Research and Technology Organisation members.
- July target: The route is expected to reach around 100 R&D-intensive businesses across high-growth sectors.
Horizon Europe Performance Strengthens In 2024
The announcement also included new figures from Horizon Europe, described by the government as the world’s largest research and innovation programme. The report covers Horizon 2020 from 2014 to 2020 and the first three years of Horizon Europe from 2021 to 2024.
The UK’s share of Horizon Europe funding rose from 5.8% in 2023 to 9.3% in 2024. Participation also increased, with the UK share of proposals rising from 18.9% to 24%.
Higher education institutions accounted for a large share of the gains in funding performance. The government said there remains further opportunity to expand collaboration with partners under Horizon Europe.
UK Research Funding Snapshot
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Global Talent Fund | £54 million dedicated pot | The department said the fund supports international researchers in priority UK research areas. |
| New researchers | 10 further appointments | The latest cohort joins UK organisations across life sciences, clean energy and advanced technologies. |
| Global Talent visa route | Around 100 businesses by July | UKRI is expanding the fast-track route for R&D-intensive businesses in Industrial Strategy sectors. |
| Horizon Europe funding share | Rose to 9.3% in 2024 | The government said the UK share increased from 5.8% in 2023. |
| Proposal participation | Rose to 24% | The UK share of proposals increased from 18.9%, according to the published figures. |
Horizon Europe Projects Show International Collaboration
The government cited recent Horizon Europe awards as examples of continued international research collaboration involving UK institutions. Officials said stronger participation and funding performance are helping UK organisations secure roles in major multinational research programmes. These include VectorGrid-Africa, coordinated by the University of Glasgow, and BLUECOAT, led by the University of Birmingham.
VectorGrid-Africa is a €6.1 million project establishing a network to monitor mosquito-borne diseases across East and Southern Africa. BLUECOAT is a €3.5 million project launched in October 2025 to develop durable surface coatings for maritime and construction uses.
The announcement said UK organisations can apply for Horizon Europe funding through the Horizon Hub. It also noted wider talent routes, including fellowships from the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and ARIA.
Horizon Europe Project Examples
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| VectorGrid-Africa | €6.1 million Horizon Europe project | The University of Glasgow coordinates work to monitor mosquito-borne diseases across East and Southern Africa. |
| BLUECOAT | €3.5 million Horizon Europe project | The University of Birmingham leads work on durable surface coatings to reduce emissions and pollution. |
| UK participation | Funding and proposal shares increased | The figures show stronger UK involvement in competitive Horizon Europe activity during 2024. |
Ministerial Comments
Science Minister Lord Vallance said;
“It’s no coincidence that the world’s top researchers – driving groundbreaking innovations in AI, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and clean energy – are choosing to come to the UK to advance their work.”
“Britain is home to an outstanding science and research community, and boosted by our participation in Horizon Europe, we’re able to drive forward the kinds of research with international partners that will change lives and create opportunities here in the UK and all over the world.”
The announcement links new Global Talent Fund appointments with wider measures to support research recruitment and international collaboration. It sets out new roles for researchers across UK organisations, an expanded visa fast-track route and stronger Horizon Europe performance in 2024. The government also pointed to further funding routes and fellowship schemes for international research talent.
Sources: GOV.UK, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, UK Research and Innovation, Lord Vallance.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
