UK hopes to attract international scientists with new fellowship scheme
The UK Government has announced a new fellowship and alumni initiative to encourage international researchers to go to the UK, and support collaboration between UK and overseas scientists. The Government will provide GBP 13.4 million (€18.6 million) to the Royal Society, the British Academy, and the Royal Academy of Engineering and Research Council UK to run the international fellowship scheme and alumni engagement programme. 'The international fellowship scheme will be an important tool in establishing the UK as the partner of choice for research collaboration,' said the UK's Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson. '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.' The alumni engagement programme meanwhile will 'support the fellowship scheme by ensuring that the UK maintains links with international research fellows after they have returned to their country of origin. This will mean that the UK continues to gain lasting benefits from the scheme in the future,' said Mr Pearson. According to the minister, the new schemes underscore the Government's focus on raising the UK's profile in international research. The scheme comes after a report highlighted the importance of international collaboration to the UK. The Global Science and Innovation Forum (GSIF) strategy for international engagement in research and development was published in October 2006. It also stated that UK support is having a positive impact on international research collaboration.
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