UNEE Challenges Government Over Funding Snub to Northern Universities

Global Talent Fund Sparks Regional Dispute as North East Institutions Left Out

In a pointed intervention, the Universities for North East England (UNEE) have voiced serious concern over the exclusion of Northern institutions from the UK Government’s Global Talent Fund, a flagship initiative intended to support world-leading research and attract international academic talent. According to UNEE, this omission risks deepening regional disparities in higher education funding and directly contradicts the Government’s stated commitment to levelling up.

UNEE’s statement underscores the strategic role of Northern universities in driving innovation, regional development, and global collaboration. Their exclusion from a fund designed to enhance the UK’s international competitiveness has prompted calls for greater transparency in allocation criteria and an urgent reassessment of regional equity in research investment. Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University and Chair of UNEE, affirmed the group’s alignment with the Northern Mayors’ disappointment, stating that the decision to overlook North East England was both inexplicable and counterproductive. He emphasised that the region’s five universities—Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, and Teesside—are well equipped to host and support international talent, thereby advancing the UK’s higher education sector.

Moreover, Professor Long highlighted the collaborative research undertaken by these institutions, which delivers significant economic, social, and cultural benefits both nationally and regionally. He noted that all five universities, each with a strong track record in research and international student engagement, are directly affected by the funding decision. In 2021–22, the five universities collectively contributed £9.7 billion to the UK economy, representing the highest output per institution of any region. Through initiatives such as the Northern Accelerator partnership, which has supported over 50 spin-out businesses, the region has demonstrated its capacity to translate research into tangible impact, provided the necessary funding is in place.

UNEE, a formal partnership of the five universities working alongside the Tees Valley and North East Combined Authorities, aims to amplify the region’s voice in higher education. Its mission is to expand access to opportunities in study, business, innovation, and investment, while offering regional insight to inform national policy. The controversy has also sparked wider questions, including: What is the Global Talent Fund? How do UK universities utilise global funding? And is the Global Talent Fund intended for international students? Supporters argue that reinstating access for Northern universities, particularly Durham, would strengthen global partnerships, enhance student support, and increase funding for international research and mobility. Restoring regional access to the Global Talent Fund is not merely a matter of fairness; it is essential to unlocking the full potential of UK higher education.

Editor’s Note:

The exclusion of Northern universities from the Global Talent Fund is more than a simple oversight; it is a poor strategic decision. At a time when the UK aims to be a global leader in research and innovation, ignoring institutions that contribute strongly to the economy, attract international talent, and drive regional growth goes against the very purpose of the fund. The universities in the North East are a vital part of the UK’s research network. They have a strong record in attracting global talent, turning research into commercial success, and working with industry and communities. Leaving them out of this funding is both unfair and short-sighted. If the idea of “levelling up” is to mean anything, funding decisions must reward excellence in all parts of the country, not just where it suits politically.

As per Skoobuzz, excluding Northern universities from the Global Talent Fund is a damaging oversight that weakens the UK’s claim to be a fair and forward-looking leader in research and innovation.