The scheme will see 88 fellows from 13 partner countries join research teams at 17 UK institutions.

“UK institutions are continuing to grow the kind of international partnerships which will become ever more vital”

Some 85 institutions entered bids to offer short-term fellowships, and HEIs could choose the combination of partner institutions, length of fellowship and number of fellows to host as part of their bid.

The fellowships are funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy through the £118m Rutherford Fund.

Rutherford Fellows will be engaged in research areas spanning CO2 capture and energy research, at the University of Aberdeen; the challenge of food production in Argentina, at Lancaster University; and resource efficient future cities and infrastructure planning, at Brunel University London.

Through this framework of partnerships, UUKi is aiming to enhance research links between UK institutions and key strategic partners, develop opportunities for collaboration and enhance the reputation of the UK and its institutions in a broad range of countries.

Director of UUKi, Vivienne Stern, described the UUKi Rutherford Fund Strategic Partner Grant as “win-win”.

“International early career researchers get to work with world-leading teams at UK universities and our researchers will benefit from the knowledge of their international colleagues,” she said.

“At the same time, UK institutions are continuing to grow the kind of international partnerships which will become ever more vital in the pursuit of outstanding research.”

Maria Kolokotroni, a professor at Brunel, where five short-term fellowships will be offered to Australian researchers, added: “Grants such as the Rutherford Fund allow British universities to attract the brightest young talent in academia.

“Australia is at the forefront of research on new approaches to solving built environment challenges and I’m very much looking forward to welcoming our newest fellows.”

The full list of HEIs receiving grants can be viewed here.