£500,000 is being awarded from the I3 initiative from Research England and the rest is from Newcastle and Monash Universities.

Called NUMAct, Newcastle University/Monash Academic Track (NUMAcT), it will support early career researchers and builds out of the recently launched NUAcT scheme to support researchers making the transition to independence. It will provide access to world-class facilities, expertise and training and mentoring.

Professor Brian Walker, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research Strategy and Resources, commenting on the NUMAct award said: “At Newcastle University we are committed to giving researchers the freedom and opportunity to succeed in responding to challenges, and to working together with partners in Universities and businesses.

"This I3 award will reinforce a long-standing relationship between Newcastle and Monash University in Melbourne, and will give early career researchers access to world-leading tools and expertise for developing new drugs, as well as the inspiration that comes from working across international borders.’’

Initially two new Fellowships for a five year period will be available, one at Newcastle, one at Monash and they will be advertised in September.

"dynamic research"

It is one of eight university collaborations being announced part of £3.6 million of funding by Research England, part of UK Research and Innovation, to scale up international research collaborations with universities and research organisations outside the UK.

The partnerships will build capacity and capability across the sector and addressing major industrial and societal challenges in healthcare, sustainable technologies and Artificial Intelligence. 

Research England’s Director of Research, Steven Hill, said: “Research England’s mission is to create and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and knowledge exchange system in English universities.

“One way Research England seeks to accomplish this mission is by providing performance-based, institution-focussed funding to deliver excellent research and high-performance knowledge exchange, unlocking potential, generating economic and social impact, and meeting national priorities and global challenges.

“Global collaboration is an increasingly important factor in research and innovation success, supporting access to talent, resources and markets that are not available nationally, and the I3 scheme is one of a range of existing and new policy measures that support Research England in achieving this goal.”