UUKi responds to announcement of new International Science Partnerships Fund

'The UK is a global leader in research and innovation, and a huge part of our success is based on our ability to partner with the very best researchers and institutions from across the world. Internationally collaborative research is fundamental to producing transformative work and maximising our impact.

Against the backdrop of ongoing uncertainty in the global research funding environment, and with UK participation in Horizon Europe remaining unclear, it is reassuring that the government has reaffirmed their commitment to UK research, and to international collaboration. 

The announcement is therefore a positive step towards fulfilling our shared ambition to ensure that the UK is a global science and technology superpower.

However, there is more to do. We continue to urge all parties to put an end to the current uncertainty and conclude the UK’s association to Horizon Europe. Further, we believe that it is important that UK researchers are also able to develop impactful collaborations with partners in the Global South – and so funding is needed that enables research and innovation to address global challenges with a broad and diverse range of international partners.

We look forward to supporting delivery of the ISPF and welcome the opportunities it will create for researchers in the UK and for our partners across the world'.