Northern Universities Excluded from £54m UK Global Talent Fund

Northern universities have been excluded from the UK government's £54 million Global Talent Fund, which aims to attract 60 to 80 leading international researchers to support innovation across the country. While 12 institutions across the UK were selected, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and universities in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, no universities from the North of England were chosen despite some meeting the eligibility criteria. Northern leaders, including regional mayors and university representatives, criticized the decision as arbitrary and inconsistent, arguing it undermines the North's strong research credentials and contribution to the UK's economic success. They called for urgent reform of the funding model to better reflect the strengths and aspirations of all UK regions and to support a more balanced national innovation ecosystem. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology stated the fund aims to bolster sectors like life sciences and defence but acknowledged the disappointment expressed by Northern leaders. Critics, including MPs and think tanks, demand clarity on the selection process and highlight the need for equitable investment to ensure the UK’s long-term competitiveness and regional economic rebalancing.