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The United Kingdom government is preparing to launch a scheme to win the talent of international research in Britain, in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s hit for academic freedom in America.
The initiative will be supported by about 50m in government money to fund research grants and relocation, according to people informed about plans. They said the scheme is decided to be announced in the coming days,
The Trump administration has begun an unprecedented blow to science and universities in the US, seeking to reduce federal funds and suppress research in subjects, including diversity, vaccination and climate change.
The effort of Sir Keir Starmer’s government to attract international talent has its roots before Trump took office in January and would be open to scientists from any country, people informed about plans said.
The scheme will appreciate researchers for their outcome and how their work is adapted to priority fields in the UK industrial strategy, including life sciences, artificial intelligence and green energy.
Initially the scheme will aim to relocate about 10 teams of researchers in the UK. If the system is evaluated a success, it can expand, people said.
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology said the United Kingdom was “open to business in international science” and wanted to help “some of the best scholars in the world bring their ideas to life here”. Would “define further plans in a timely manner,” he added.
The scheme will test the UK attractiveness for international scientists and regenerate the debate on whether the government needs to change other policies to make the country a convincing destination.
Research institutions and peers in particular have criticized visa costs for scientists, who are much higher than in other industrialized countries.
The UK immigration system reached an “act of national self-harm” because it prevented students of science and early career scholars, warned the Lord Science and Technology Committee in February
“International researchers support our R&D perfection of world leaders and additional funds will help attract talented global scholars,” Ben Moore, head of international politics in the Russell group of major research institutions.
“It would be just as useful for the government to review the visa costs facing scholars, which exceed them in other R&D major nations,” he added.
Other countries have begun similar schemes for international talent, as riots in US science have led researchers there to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Last month, Canada announced an initiative named Canada runs 100 challenges to attract 100 early career scientists, especially from the US, in its research facilities and hospitals.
Norway also launched a scheme to help recruit scholars from abroad, to work in the fields of climate, health, energy and artificial intelligence.
France is also starting this month starting a platform called “Choose France for Science” to attract international scientists, especially from the US, to work in the fields of health, climate change and digital technologies.
