UK launches £54m Drive to attract Global Talent
The United Kingdom has officially launched a bold initiative to attract the world’s brightest minds—researchers, engineers, innovators, creatives, and entrepreneurs—to relocate, work, and thrive in the UK. Through a new £54 million Global Talent Fund and a dedicated Global Talent Taskforce, the British government is signalling its renewed commitment to welcoming world-class talent in science, technology, and innovation.
Announced on Sunday, 22 June, this strategic move comes just ahead of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, and forms part of a larger Plan for Change aimed at boosting the UK economy, strengthening public services, and driving innovation across critical sectors.
A New Home for Global Excellence
The Global Talent Taskforce will proactively identify and engage with top talent worldwide—including those in the diaspora—offering support and streamlined relocation opportunities to help them contribute to the UK’s growing innovation economy.
Whether you’re a brilliant AI researcher in Lagos, a clean energy innovator in Nairobi, or a data scientist in Accra, this is a call to action. The UK is inviting the world’s top minds to bring their expertise into a country that boasts some of the best research infrastructure and academic institutions globally.
“Competition for elite global talent is high,” said Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, “and by establishing this Taskforce we are solidifying our position as the first choice for the world’s brightest sparks.”
ALSO READ: Top 10 Global Talent Visa Programs for Young Skilled Professionals
What’s on offer?
Here’s what the £54 million Global Talent Fund will cover:
- Full relocation costs for researchers and their families
- Research funding to kickstart innovative projects
- Visa costs for researchers and dependents are fully covered
- 100% of eligible expenses with no need for match funding from host organisations
- Flexible funding over five years beginning in 2025/2026
This builds on the earlier £25 million already committed to attract world-leading talent in Artificial Intelligence. Through the Turing AI Global Fellowships and the Encode: AI for Science Fellowship, the UK is expected to begin welcoming scholars by Autumn 2025.
Who does the Global Talent Initiative seek to attract
The initiative casts a wide net, aiming to attract:
- Researchers in science, medicine, climate, energy, AI, and more
- Engineers and technologists with global problem-solving skills
- Entrepreneurs and high-level creatives in innovative industries
- Top-tier managers, policy experts, and investors in growth-driving sectors
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle put it succintly:
“Genius is not bound by geography. But the UK is one of the few places blessed with the infrastructure, skills base, world-class institutions, and international ties needed to fertilise brilliant ideas.”
Streamlined and Strategic
Reporting directly to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, the Global Talent Taskforce will:
- Build networks across the globe to identify high-potential individuals
- Facilitate relocation, integration, and funding access for selected talent
- Partner with UK embassies and research organisations to create a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to relocate
Alongside the £54 million Fund, two fast-track research grant routes have also been announced:
- £30 million Faraday Discovery Fellowship (Royal Society)
- Fast-track route for Green Future Fellowships (Royal Academy of Engineering)
These routes will help researchers apply and relocate faster, with smoother integration into the UK research ecosystem.
A Warm Welcome backed by Strong Support
This strategy builds on the UK’s latest Immigration White Paper, which expands eligibility for the High Potential Individual Visa. The reason was to remove barriers for global talent, without increasing net migration.
Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: “These initiatives will attract the best and brightest from around the world… building our future technologies and driving long-term growth.”
The President of the Royal Society, Sir Adrian Smith, added that this coordinated approach across Whitehall to attract global talent is something the Society has long called for.
Why this matters to Nigerians and Africans
The UK’s renewed emphasis on global talent attraction presents an unmissable opportunity for Nigerians and other Africans in research, science, and innovation fields. Whether you’re already studying abroad, working in Africa, or seeking new frontiers, this is a window to join some of the world’s most cutting-edge institutions, fully funded and with meaningful impact.
As Dr Andrew Clark of the Royal Academy of Engineering rightly said:
“Adding a fast-track route for international applicants will ensure the Green Future Fellowships programme is always open to the best global talent.”
Want to be part of it?
Keep an eye on UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and partner organisations for application routes and announcements. And if you’re building your skills and qualifications, now is the time to prepare. The UK is making it clear: exceptional talent is welcome.
For more information, you can also visit the UK Government website here.
This article is prepared with the assistance of AI and is thoroughly reviewed by the editorial team before publication.
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