The UK government announced on 6 August 2026 that more than 100 of the country's most innovative companies would be able to support exceptional researchers coming to work on funded projects through the Global Talent visa. The expansion of the UKRI Endorsed Funder pathway was reported to cover commercial research businesses alongside universities and research institutes, including AstraZeneca, Jaguar Land Rover, Added Value Solutions, Denroy Plastics and Ffilm Cymru.

According to the release, the companies involved each fall within the eight high-growth sectors of the government's Modern Industrial Strategy, such as advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, clean energy, life sciences and the creative industries. The government said the scheme had already helped over 12,500 people from more than 130 countries through the endorsed funder route, and that the expansion built on an earlier step in May covering remaining AIRTO members, including IBM.

The release also said the government was preparing to broaden the UKRI-run Future Technology Research and Innovation scheme under the Government Authorised Exchange visa route, which allows placements of up to two years. It cited the £54 million Global Talent Fund, which it said had brought 18 leading researchers to the UK so far.