USA Exchange 2026
A unique Exchange programme building education partnerships between universities and colleges in the UK and USA
The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education: USA Exchange
The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the founding patron of the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education, the highest honour awarded to universities and colleges in the United Kingdom; it is also the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in the USA.
In this historic year, the Royal Anniversary Trust has devised the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education: USA Exchange, to celebrate and commemorate both Her Majesty’s dedication to education and her tireless commitment to international diplomacy — in particular, the UK’s special relationship with the USA.
The Exchange will bring representatives from eight Prize-winning alumni institutions to Washington DC for a four-day programme in October 2026 to meet with selected US academics who work in similar fields. It is designed to provide opportunities for new transatlantic collaborations and partnerships between UK and US universities and colleges that will have a beneficial legacy in the long term.
During the Exchange, the delegates and their US counterparts will be based at host universities and community colleges within Washington DC. The Trust is delighted to be working with the following partners:
» American University
» Howard University
» Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center
» Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
Following the conclusion of the Exchange, UK delegates will report back to the Trust on collaborations or partnerships forged with US institutions or other legacies of the Exchange, and how these are furthering the work of the university or college.
Each of the Prize-winning alumni institutions taking part will be represented in Washington DC by two delegates: a senior delegate who is able to speak authoritatively in the field of the Prize-winning work and to initiate potential collaborations or partnerships with your US counterparts in their specialist field and an early career academic or senior student in the same field, who has taken part in or benefited from the Prize-winning programme, and for whom this Exchange could be a transformational opportunity.
Sir Damon Buffini, Chair of the Royal Anniversary Trust said: “The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education: USA Exchange is a landmark initiative, launched in a year of historical significance on both sides of the Atlantic. Honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s enduring legacy in education and diplomacy, the programme brings together the very best of UK academic excellence with leading minds in the United States. By convening Prize-winning alumni institutions in Washington DC, the Exchange creates an unparalleled platform for forging ambitious transatlantic partnerships with a lasting global impact.”
USA Exchange Participants
The UK institutions participating in the USA Exchange are all former winners of the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education. They were selected via a competition open exclusively to Prizes alumni, judged by an eminent panel including representatives from the Trust’s Higher and Further Education Panels
University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London was awarded a Prize in 2023 for shaping the fashion industry of the future through global leadership and pioneering work in environmental and social sustainability. During the Exchange they will engage with US researchers and practitioners to inform a new wellbeing framework for fashion that can influence policy, guide industry practice, and help redefine fashion as a driver of cultural, ecological, and social justice.
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh won a Prize in 2015 for excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease, playing a major role in the reduction in death rates through innovative treatments and guidelines. The Exchange is an opportunity for cross institutional and transatlantic collaboration that will accelerate and synergise the investigation and characterisation of coronary and valvular heart disease, enhancing the future management and treatment of these conditions, benefiting patients around the world.
Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University was awarded a Prize in 2015 for their research in wood science and UK timber construction, reducing the carbon footprint. They plan to collaborate with USA academic partners to implement a strategic alliance in the Push for More Timber in Construction and More Sustainable Forestry.
City of Glasgow College
City of Glasgow College was awarded a Prize in 2023 for life-saving research into oxygen depletion in enclosed and confined spaces on board ships. This Exchange provides an opportunity to deepen international collaboration with the global maritime sector.
Keele University
Keele University was awarded a Prize in 2009 for their pioneering early intervention and primary care in the management of chronic pain, particularly back pain and arthritis. The United States is a global leader in technological innovation, including AI and Virtual Reality, and this is what they plan to explore during the Exchange.
Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast was awarded a Prize in 2015 for their Centre for Secure Information Technologies. During the Exchange they will be partnering with Northeastern University’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute to advance research, education, and international collaboration in cybersecurity and AI.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) was awarded a Prize in 2017 for a genetics research project showing farmers around the world how selective breeding can significantly increase milk yields, improve economic efficiency and reduce carbon footprint of dairy farming. During the Exchange they will focus on strengthening transatlantic collaboration in livestock genetics, data integration and AI to support sustainable and climate smart food systems.
UCS College Group
UCS College Group was awarded a Prize in 2023 as the first Further Education college to deliver nursing degrees locally, opening up new career routes for all ages and responding to workforce challenges within the local National Health Service (NHS). Through the Exchange, they aim to share best practice, learn from international partners, and demonstrate the vital role Further Education plays in delivering higher-level health skills within a university-led system.
The Royal Anniversary Trust is grateful for the support of its primary sponsor, Amazon Web Services, in this endeavour. We are also pleased to have the support of the British Council and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.