The strategy is the work of the Global Science & Innovation Forum (GSIF). a body set up to improve co-ordination of the UK effort in international science and innovation collaboration. It provides strategic guidance and systematically scans the horizon for new and emerging issues.
The strategy sets out, for the first time, a framework of objectives to prioritise and coordinate the UK’s international engagement in R&D:
• Collaborating with top research internationally and attracting the best scientists to work in and collaborate with the UK.
• Encouraging UK companies to engage in international research and international companies to invest in UK research.
• Using science and technology to underpin international policy making and as a tool to foster bilateral partnerships
• Using research and innovation in support of international development goals
As part of the strategy a new “Rhodes scholarship” type scheme has been set up attract scientists to the UK. The Royal Society International Fellowship scheme builds on existing funding of over £100 million, creating one internationally recognisable British science fellowship brand under the direction of the Royal Society.
Launching the scheme in a speech to the Royal Society in London on Monday, trade secretary Alistair Darling said, "To be the best you need to work with the best. This new scheme aims to attract more of the best in science to Britain. It will push our world-class science base further and help give us a business edge."
Darling highlighted research that seems to show top UK universities catching the US in linking science to business. UK universities are now producing roughly as many patents per £1 million of research as their US counterparts (1.3 compared with 1.6 patents) and are producing far more spin-out companies per £1 million of research. In the past three years fivc British university spin out companies have floated on the stock market with a value of over £1.5 billion.
Darling also announced plans to open a Research Councils UK office in Beijing, to exploit increasing science investment in the country and make Britain the partner of choice for Chinese companies.
The GSIF strategy aims to ensure that UK researchers and businesses engage better with the very best research internationally, through simplified access to public support schemes and consolidating the UK presence in key partner countries.
The UK will also develop strategic partnerships, through new schemes to link its world-class universities with counterparts in China and India, and to attract the best researchers to Britain.
Receive the Funding Newswire each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.
