21
September
2026
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15:07
Europe/London
Transatlantic University Partnership Landmark Agreement Signed to Accelerate Fusion Energy Research, Innovation and Workforce
global-fusion-policy-summit
Image of signing from global fusion policy summit
Higher education institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom have established a transatlantic partnership to advance research, skills, and policy in fusion energy.
Signed on Monday 14th September 2026 at the Mansion House, London, at the Global Fusion Policy Summit, the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a collaborative framework between the US-based University Fusion Association and a coalition of 16 UK universities, including The University of Manchester. The flexible structure of the agreement invites further institutional participation, allowing additional universities to join the initiative in the coming months.
Representatives from UK & US universities, the US DoE and UK DESNZ at the signing of the MoU (© UKAEA)
The agreement focuses on critical pillars required to realise commercial fusion energy:
- Research and Innovation: Collaborative scientific discovery, technology development, and engineering deployment.
- Workforce & Skills Development: Multilevel educational and training initiatives designed to build a robust, inclusive, and diverse talent pipeline for the fusion sector over the next decade and beyond.
- Economic Impact: Promoting entrepreneurship and commercialisation pathways to generate economic benefit.
- Policy & Society: Advancing science-informed policy and serving the interests of society at large.
Anchored in shared values, the signatory institutions have pledged to uphold high standards of ethics and research integrity while prioritising student and trainee welfare. The framework emphasises collegiality across institutions to support career development, individual wellbeing, and the global fusion research community.
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Delivering fusion will require collaboration across academia, industry, and government, alongside a strong pipeline of skills and talent. Universities have an important role in making fusion possible which is why we welcome partnerships like the one being forged today
David Capper, Director for Net Zero Buildings, Clean Heat UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ)
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By bringing together leading academic institutions across the Atlantic, this agreement establishes a unified foundation to train the next generation of scientists and engineers, accelerate technical breakthroughs, and strengthen the global fusion energy landscape.
Find out more about our fusion energy research at The University of Manchester: