Global Talent Fund Expands: Bath Selected to Advance Strategic Research Sectors

Bath Secures £4.35M to Recruit World-Class Researchers Under UK Innovation Scheme

As part of a major national initiative to strengthen the United Kingdom’s position as a global leader in science and innovation, the University of Bath has been awarded £4.35 million under the prestigious Global Talent Fund. This announcement follows the earlier selection of the University of Birmingham and positions Bath among the first twelve UK institutions to receive support for international research recruitment. The £54 million fund is administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

With this latest allocation, the University of Bath will be able to recruit world-class researchers across key strategic sectors, including clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences, and professional services. This move not only reinforces the UK’s commitment to global collaboration and scientific excellence but also forms part of a broader strategy to enhance the long-term sustainability of the national research ecosystem.

Science Minister Lord Vallance emphasised that genius is not bound by geography, yet the UK offers a unique combination of infrastructure, expertise, institutions, and international networks that can nurture groundbreaking ideas. He underlined the importance of developing such innovations within the UK to support the Government’s Plan for Change, which seeks to transform research into life-saving medicines, useful products, and entirely new industries. He extended an open invitation to innovators worldwide, assuring them of the UK’s support in realising their ideas for the benefit of all.

Commenting on the development, Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, highlighted the institution’s long-standing commitment to collaboration with industry. He expressed delight at Bath’s role in attracting outstanding global academics whose research aligns with the UK’s industrial strategy. He further noted that the investment recognises the critical role universities play in driving innovation and economic development and expressed his enthusiasm for working with DSIT and UKRI to bring more top researchers to the UK.

Professor Sarah Hainsworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise), added that the university was honoured to be recognised through the Global Talent Fund, which she said reaffirmed Bath’s reputation as a destination for world-class talent and research partnerships. The investment will allow Bath to appoint up to 15 leading researchers across four nationally significant fields: clean energy, digital technologies, professional and business services, and life sciences. These appointments are expected to enhance the UK’s standing in key growth sectors while advancing the university’s interdisciplinary research capabilities. The Global Talent Fund is expected to contribute significantly to the UK’s innovation capacity, economic growth, and long-term scientific excellence by expanding research capabilities and fostering international collaboration.

Editor’s Note:

The University of Bath’s award of £4.35 million from the UK Government’s Global Talent Fund signifies a major step forward in the country’s strategy to strengthen its research capabilities and global influence. As one of only twelve institutions selected in the first round, Bath joins an elite group committed to driving innovation in key sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences, and professional and business services. This targeted investment, administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and backed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), will enable the university to recruit up to 15 world-leading researchers, thereby expanding its interdisciplinary expertise and boosting the UK’s overall research ecosystem. Beyond institutional benefit, the recognition serves a broader national purpose. It underscores the UK’s commitment to global collaboration at a time when scientific research is increasingly international and competitive. The emphasis placed by Science Minister Lord Vallance on the UK’s infrastructure and openness to global talent reinforces the message that the country remains an attractive destination for groundbreaking research and innovation.

Skoobuzz asserts that by supporting institutions like Bath, the Global Talent Fund is nurturing academic excellence and also laying the foundation for transformative advancements that can fuel economic growth, generate skilled jobs, and address global challenges.