The deal will see the UK work with the likes of NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US to Australia’s University of Sydney, Japan’s Riken and the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Germany. They will address a number of technology challenges including monitoring Earth’s emissions and climate. The 12 projects are funded by a ￡17million investment from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

       A team from Durham University, Imperial College London and the University of Oxford will also work with US collaborators on quantum computing.

       They will use ultra0cold molecules as the building blocks on the revolutionary technology.

       Researchers at the Universities of Sheffield, Strathclyde and Bath will work with Harvard and MIT scientists to develop advanced visible light communications.

       It is a new form of communication network which could provide bandwidth three times larger than conventional WiFi or 5G.

       Researchers at the University of Leeds will work with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Germany and the Rosalind Franklin Institute.

       They will develop a new, faster, way to create better medicines to treat conditions ranging from cancer to infectious diseases.

       A project team from Newcastle and Cardiff universities in the UK will work with the University of Sydney and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia.

       Their project aims to ensure electric vehicles using the Internet are protected from cyber-attacks.

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       It comes after the EU blocked the UK's access to Horizon Europe – its ￡80billion key research and innovation project that the UK was set to contribute ￡15billion to.

       The bloc demanded that Brexit disputes be resolved before Britain could re-join, despite its participation being a feature EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

       Science Minister George Freeman previously warned that if the EU "stands in our way, we are ready with a seamless transition to something just as good, or better."

       And now it looks like he has got the ball rolling.

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       On the new deal, he said: "From improving cancer treatment and generating clean growth to designing the communication networks of tomorrow, UK science, technology and innovation is developing pioneering solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.

       "These 12 international projects will harness the expertise of the UK’s world-leading researchers and global collaborators, helping us accelerate our path to an innovation nation and underline our position as a science superpower."

       EPSRC Executive Chair Professor Dame Lynn Gladden added: "From better, cheaper medicines to powerful quantum computers and next-generation communications networks, these new technologies have the potential to transform the way we live.

       "By bringing together world-leading researchers to deliver ground-breaking science and engineering solutions, these projects will generate impact that will be felt across all of society."