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If Hong Kong-born Sir Charles Kao had never found his way to Essex to do pioneering research on fibre optics, we might never have developed the physical infrastructure that¡¯s made broadband internet possible, and indeed essential to modern life.

Likewise, if Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov had never ended up together in Manchester, would we still today be searching for a way to isolate the wonder-material graphene?

History shows that some of the most profound breakthroughs happen when the right people are together in the right place.

I am positive that the UK, now more than ever, is the right place for the most dynamic and forward-thinking research to make its home. Britain boasts a science pedigree that matches anywhere else in the world: we have four of the world¡¯s top 10 universities, and other best-in-their-class institutions like the Crick, Henry Royce and Alan Turing institutes.

We also understand that new ideas and ways of thinking will be essential to thriving ¨C not merely surviving ¨C in the era in which we¡¯re now living. AI is already reshaping the economy, genomics is heralding a world where we can increasingly beat cancer and prevent diseases, and the war in Ukraine shows how technologies like drones are transforming what we need to do to keep ourselves safe.

The UK government is already taking steps to seize the potential for science and research to deliver new products, medicines, jobs and even entirely new industries. From the record backing for R&D announced at the recent spending review to the pivotal roles of the life sciences and digital and technology sectors in our Modern Industrial Strategy, we are putting ourselves four-square behind the researchers, inventors and innovators of tomorrow.

But as history has made so clear, breakthroughs are about people, not just policy, and we have to embrace the fact that human genius is spread right the world over. That is why the work I am announcing today, with 12 of our leading research institutions through the Global Talent Fund, is so important.

We are putting ?54 million in place to ensure that the very best minds come to the UK, taking advantage of our world-class institutions and bringing their thinking to life in ways that will in many cases spin out into innovative new businesses. This is supported by our Global Talent Taskforce ¨C a bespoke concierge service to make relocating top science to the UK as smooth a process as possible.

And this is only one part of our drive to bring the world¡¯s best scientists and researchers to our shores. We are opening up an array of routes for the best and brightest. These include the ?46 million , fellowship schemes from our prestigious National Academies and the Choose Europe programme ¨C a €500 million scheme that is open to researchers coming to the UK through our association to Horizon Europe.

Taken together, over ?115 million in funding is being dedicated to attracting the very best scientific and research talent to the UK from around the world. These are efforts that will only bolster our existing domestic talent, too, because we all know that some of the best ideas happen through cross-pollination and ¡°accidental collisions¡±.

The UK¡¯s doors aren¡¯t just open to the world¡¯s best research talent ¨C we¡¯re opening express lanes to nurture and grow their work here. Today, this work begins in earnest, and I am excited to keep working with our brilliant universities?and research institutions, to help them bring that talent in.

Patrick Vallance is the UK¡¯s science minister.