Applications are now open for universities who wish to receive funding support for UKAEA’s Industrial Visiting Academic Scheme (IVAS).
IVAS provides funding to support UK universities to work with registered UK industry professionals to enhance student learning and strengthen pipelines into the fusion industry. The grant, to be managed by the UK host university, provides financial support to cover a minimum of 15 days or teaching resource per year over a three-year term.
UKAEA will support 10 industry professionals, five of whom will be early career professionals (for example, a maximum of eight years since their last academic qualification), subject to a quality threshold being met.
The scheme aims to harness the knowledge and experience of the Industrial Visiting Academic in order to:
- Provide teaching and learning on relevant scientific and engineering degree programmes by bringing industrial experience into the academic environment.
- Promote stronger collaboration between UK industry and universities.
- Expose students to real-life industrial context and scenarios, increasing awareness of careers opportunities in fusion.
- Align degree programme strategies to industry need; promoting innovation and practical knowledge exchange.
- Inspire the next generation of fusion scientists and engineers.
To support networking, an annual event will be held for industrial visiting academic and academic leads to come together and share insights and best practice.
Applications close at 4:00pm on 26 March 2026.