- UKAEA to fund UK-based post-doctoral Fellows in fusion
research
- First collaboration established with Singapore's Nanyang
Technological University
- Partnership marks a major step forward in advancing global
collaboration in fusion research and talent development
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has launched
the International Fellowships Scheme, an initiative to help
expand the global talent pool supporting the fusion industry.
The Scheme is part of the UKAEA's Fusion Opportunities in Skills,
Training, Education and Research (FOSTER) Programme, which aims
to train, support, and empower the next generation of
professionals, who will help deliver fusion power to the grid.
The first International Fellowships Scheme partner is Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore (NTU), which is ranked among
the world's top 15 universities by the QS World University
Rankings.
The scheme is designed to create high-impact post-doctoral
research opportunities through collaborations between UK-based
and international institutions. Under this initiative, Fellows
will be recruited in complementary pairs, with one Fellow
employed and primarily based in the UK, and the other employed
and primarily based overseas. Working together in areas of shared
interest to help build scientific knowledge across borders and
solve key fusion challenges.
NTU is building on the pilot phase of the scheme and has begun
recruiting its first Fellows.
Nick Walkden, Head of Fusion Skills Operation and Delivery at
UKAEA, said:
As a sector, we have recognised the need to develop the next
generation of research leaders for fusion and have launched a
programme of international fellowships for post-doctoral
candidates to do just this. I'm excited that the first of these
exciting opportunities is in collaboration with NTU, which shares
our passion and drive, and I look forward to seeing our
respective Fellows undertake their exchange programme in coming
years.
Professor Simon Redfern, Dean of the College of Science, NTU
Singapore said:
We are delighted to partner with the UK Atomic Energy Authority
on the FOSTER International Fellowships Programme, which aligns
with our commitment to advancing frontier research and
nurturing global scientific talent in fusion energy. In recent
years, our scientists have enjoyed a number of beneficial
collaborations with international partners to pioneer innovative
approaches in fusion science and decarbonisation. FOSTER marks an
important next step.
This new partnership with UKAEA will further strengthen
cross-border research, enhance institutional capabilities, and
accelerate our shared ambition to realise clean, sustainable
energy through fusion. It also builds on longstanding ties
between NTU researchers and their counterparts in the UK, and
ensures that this spirit of collaboration continues to grow
across future generations of scientists.
Each fellowship will run for two years and include a minimum of
12 weeks of exchange between host institutions, enabling
cross-cultural research experience and skill development. UKAEA
will support the UK-based Fellow while the international partner
institution will support the internationally employed Fellow.
Part of the Fusion Futures
Programme, FOSTER supports 32 projects with a vision to build
a fusion skills ecosystem – with international reach – that can
train, develop, and grow the fusion generation who will deliver
fusion energy to the grid.
FOSTER
works with likeminded organisations committed to advancing the
landscape of fusion science and technology through post-doctoral
research opportunities.
The first cohort of the International Fellowships Scheme with NTU
is expected to start in Autumn 2025.
More information about FOSTER and UKAEA's International
Fellowships Scheme can be found online.
International organisations interested in pursuing a fellowship,
either with UKAEA or another UK-based organisation, or if you
have any further questions, please email fusionskills@ukaea.uk
