UK to receive £13.4 million for science collaboration

The government funding will go to the Royal Society, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and Research Councils UK (RCUK) in order to run an international fellowship scheme and alumni engagement programme.

This investment follows the Global Science and Innovation Forum (GSIF) strategy for international engagement in R&D, which was published in October 2006.

It focused on the importance of introducing international collaboration into the UK science sector.

Mr Pearson commented: "The government will be providing £13.4 million over the next three-year spending period to enable the partners to deliver the scheme. This financial commitment underlines the government's strong focus on continuing to raise the UK's profile in international research.

"The international fellowship scheme will be an important tool in establishing the UK as the partner of choice for research collaboration. The scheme will also help in building lasting international networks with the best institutions and individuals abroad, and in attracting outstanding researchers to the UK.