Cambridge University has been selected as a partner in a government initiative aimed at attracting top research talent to the UK. The university will receive a portion of the £54 million Global Talent Fund, which is shared among 12 leading UK universities and research institutions. The fund targets sectors critical to the government's Industrial Strategy, seeking to attract 60-80 top researchers.
Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, expressed gratitude for the funding, stating: "It will bolster emerging and accelerating research areas... We look forward to the opportunities this will unlock."
The initiative is part of over £115 million in funding dedicated to attracting scientific talent to the UK. The Spärck AI scholarships, in partnership with Cambridge, further support AI research by providing full funding for master's degrees at nine UK universities.
Science Minister Lord Vallance emphasized the UK's capability to incubate brilliant ideas due to its infrastructure and skills base. He stated: "Our doors are open to you. We want to work with you... and give you a home where you can make your ideas a reality we all benefit from."
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves highlighted the role of UK universities in attracting international talent. She said: "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."
The fund aims to drive innovations that could significantly impact the economy. The IMF estimates breakthroughs in AI could boost productivity by up to 1.5 percentage points annually, potentially adding £47 billion each year over a decade.