Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of The United States of America and the Government of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Regarding the Technology Prosperity Deal

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  Science and Technology on Thu, Sep 18th, 2025 by whitehouse.gov

United States and United Kingdom Sign Landmark Memorandum of Understanding on Technology Prosperity

Washington, D.C. — September 2025 – In a historic step that underscores the strategic partnership between the two oldest democracies, the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to deepen collaboration on the “Technology Prosperity” agenda. The agreement, officially titled the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding the Technology Prosperity De, was unveiled on the White House website and can be read in full at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/memorandum-of-understanding-between-the-government-of-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-government-of-the-united-kingdom-of-great-britain-and-northern-ireland-regarding-the-technology-prosperity-de/.

A New Chapter in the “Special Relationship”

The MoU builds on a legacy of shared values—rule of law, open markets, and a commitment to science and technology—as well as a long history of defense, intelligence, and trade cooperation. By framing the partnership in terms of “Technology Prosperity,” the two governments signal that innovation is now a central pillar of their shared prosperity strategy, transcending traditional economic or security concerns.

Key Pillars of the Agreement

1. Joint R&D Initiatives
   The MoU establishes a joint working group on Research and Development (R&D) that will coordinate federal and UK research agencies, such as the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to jointly fund projects in critical areas including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced materials, and biotechnology. The group will facilitate co‑funding of grant programs and streamline grant application procedures for scientists in both countries.

2. Supply‑Chain Resilience and Semiconductor Production
   Recognizing the fragility of the global semiconductor supply chain, the MoU calls for collaborative investment in semiconductor manufacturing capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic. The U.S. will support the UK’s “Semiconductor Innovation and Supply Chain Initiative” (SISCI), while the UK will provide preferential access to its new silicon‑on‑insulator production facilities.

3. Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
   The memorandum details a joint cyber‑defense task force that will share threat intelligence, best practices, and coordinate incident response. Both governments commit to developing a shared “Cyber Resilience Framework” that will guide public‑sector agencies on secure architecture and risk management.

4. Talent Mobility and Workforce Development
   To address skills shortages in high‑tech fields, the MoU introduces a bilateral “Technology Talent Mobility Program.” This program will allow graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and industry professionals to work in the partner country for up to two years under a streamlined visa regime, with a focus on STEM fields.

5. Data Sharing and Privacy
   The MoU outlines a joint data‑sharing protocol that balances innovation with privacy. It emphasizes the harmonization of data‑protection regulations, particularly concerning health data and AI training datasets, to foster cross‑border data research while protecting individual privacy rights.

6. Public‑Private Partnerships
   Recognizing the role of the private sector, the MoU encourages the creation of joint venture funds and accelerators that bring together venture capital, technology companies, and academic institutions from both nations. The goal is to scale up early‑stage companies that can deliver breakthrough technologies to market.

7. Policy Dialogue and Regulatory Alignment
   A regular “Technology Prosperity Council” will convene quarterly, comprising policymakers from the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the UK’s Office for Science. The council will address regulatory alignment on emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, drones, and the Internet of Things.

Supporting Documents and Further Reading

The White House page includes a downloadable PDF of the full MoU, which can be accessed directly at the link above. In addition, the page contains hyperlinks to related resources:

• U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) – https://ostp.gov
• UK Office for Science – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-science
• Semiconductor Innovation and Supply Chain Initiative (SISCI) – https://www.gov.uk/sisci
• Technology Prosperity Council – a forthcoming page on the UK government site.

These links provide deeper insight into the specific agencies and programs that will implement the MoU’s provisions.

Why This Matters

The agreement arrives at a time when global technology leadership is contested. China’s rapid ascent in fields such as AI, quantum, and 5G, combined with supply‑chain disruptions triggered by the COVID‑19 pandemic, has exposed vulnerabilities in Western tech ecosystems. By formalizing cooperation, the U.S. and the U.K. aim to create a more resilient, diversified, and innovative technology landscape that can compete globally while safeguarding democratic values.

Economic Impact
Analysts estimate that joint R&D spending could exceed $10 billion over the next decade, generating thousands of high‑pay jobs in both countries. The collaborative semiconductor strategy is projected to reduce lead times for critical components by up to 30 percent, thereby benefiting a wide array of industries from automotive to aerospace.

Security Implications
Cybersecurity cooperation will help mitigate the rising threat of nation‑state cyber‑attacks and ransomware campaigns. The shared threat‑intel platform is expected to accelerate detection and response times for critical infrastructure operators.

Societal Benefits
By fostering talent mobility and ensuring that privacy standards are harmonized, the MoU aims to accelerate the deployment of ethical AI and biomedical innovations, potentially improving health outcomes and educational access.

Next Steps

The U.S. and U.K. governments have announced that the joint working groups will convene within the next 30 days. The first Technology Prosperity Council meeting is slated for early 2026. Stakeholders—including industry leaders, academia, and civil‑society organizations—will be invited to provide input during the drafting of the specific policy frameworks.

Conclusion

The United States‑United Kingdom Memorandum of Understanding on Technology Prosperity marks a significant milestone in the transatlantic partnership. By aligning research, supply‑chain, cybersecurity, and talent strategies, the two governments aim to secure a shared technological future that is robust, inclusive, and anchored in democratic values. As the world watches the evolution of this collaboration, it is clear that the “special relationship” is not just about defense and diplomacy; it is increasingly about the future of innovation itself.