BIG Press Release
MAR 13 2024

THE GLOBAL TALENT LAB UNVEILS NEW UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND A ROUNDTABLE FOR THE BIG PROGRAMME

• New Partnerships: Global Talent Lab welcomes St John's College, University of Oxford; the University of Bristol; the University of Edinburgh; and the University of Warwick as its latest university partners. We are also exploring a similar partnership with University College London.

• Scholarship Milestone: The announcement of the first BIG-Trinity scholarships for eight Olympiad gold medallists, marking a significant step towards nurturing global STEM talent in the UK.

• Strategic Discussion: The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology hosted a Roundtable on March 13, 2024, with university and industry leaders to enhance the UK’s position as a global STEM talent hub.
  
  
  

March 13, 2024: Today, partners of the ‘Backing Invisible Geniuses’ (BIG) programme, including the Global Talent Lab (GTL), XTX Markets, and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), convened with representatives from universities and industry sectors. The gathering, hosted by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, focused on how the UK can better position itself as a global STEM talent hub and how to maximize the success of the BIG program.

The ‘Backing Invisible Geniuses’ (BIG) scholarship pilot, led by the Global Talent Lab, launched in November at the AI Safety Summit, with the first planned intake in September 2024. The programme champions outstanding high-school performers in International Science Olympiads, setting them on a path to excel in maths, science, and AI. This initiative attracts top STEM talent to the UK’s leading universities, enhancing the UK’s standing as a hub for global excellence. It is being launched thanks to a founding donation from XTX Markets and in partnership with DSIT.

University Partnerships. In addition to our initial partners Trinity College-Cambridge and Imperial College London, we are excited to announce our new university partners, St John's College, University of Oxford; the University of Bristol; the University of Edinburgh; and the University of Warwick. We are also exploring a similar partnership with University College London. Each of these institutions shares our commitment to identifying and nurturing the talents of students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that no promising talent goes unnoticed or unsupported.

Scholarship offers. As of March 2024, we can announce eight Olympiad gold medallists have been offered the prestigious BIG-Trinity scholarships and linked university places.

Breaking Barriers Through Partnerships. The 'Backing Invisible Geniuses' programme aims to break down barriers to success and create pathways for gifted individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive in their chosen fields. By forging partnerships with leading educational institutions, GTL, XTX Markets and DSIT are cultivating a more inclusive and vibrant UK STEM ecosystem.

High Demand from Global Talent. There is a strong demand for the programme within the global Olympiad community. The enthusiasm and eagerness of these talented students to participate in the BIG UK Programme highlight its appeal and relevance.

About:

The Global Talent Lab (GTL) is a research institute and charity that explores how talented individuals drive innovation and frontier science, and seeks to remove barriers hindering their full potential. GTL is spearheading the Backing Invisible Geniuses (BIG) initiative, which aims to connect high-potential high school students with premier educational opportunities. Learn more.

XTX Markets is a leading algorithmic trading firm which partners with counterparties, exchanges and e-trading venues globally to provide liquidity in the Equity, FX, Fixed Income, Futures and Commodity markets. XTX has over 200 employees based in London, Paris, New York, Mumbai, Yerevan and Singapore. The company’s corporate philanthropy focuses on STEM education and maximum impact giving (alongside an employee matching programme). Since 2017, XTX has donated over £80 million to charities and good causes, establishing it as a major donor in the UK and globally. Learn more.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to fostering innovation that uplifts public services, generates employment opportunities, and stimulates economic growth. As a ministerial department, it is supported by 15 agencies and public entities. Learn more.

For additional information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or our website at www.global-talent.org. For media-related queries, kindly reach out to GTL at contact@global-talent.org or to DSIT at press@dsit.gov.uk.