TechFirst builds on the success of CyberFirst, whichthe hasNational provenCyber impactSecurity Centre’s skills programme supporting talent into the cyber security workforce,sector engaging over 415,000 young people since launch.2016. TechFirst willbrings broaden this successsupport to new areas of technologytechnology, andreaching growmore itspeople impact.than ever before.

OurTechFirst ambitionoffers istailored opportunities at key stages: from young people beginning to supportexplore overthe 4000world graduates,of researcherstechnology and innovators,build andtheir reachwork oneexperience, millionto students and researchers studying in secondaryvital schoolsareas, acrossto thelocal UK.businesses seeking new talent.

TechFirstThe offersprogramme tailoredaims supportto:

• reach forone million young people atin keysecondary stagesschools, inprioritising the techmost ecosystem:disadvantaged fromschools youngacross peoplethe beginningUK
• support toover explore5000 thestudents worldthrough ofundergraduate, technology,master’s toand studentsPhD study and researchersinto studyingthe critical tech subjects,sector
• create toand businessesfill lookinglocal tech jobs for newmore talent.
  than 2000 people across the UK

On this page you can find information about the different TechFirst opportunities available.

For schools

TechFirst helps young people (updevelop totech 18)skills, get confident with AI and explore frontier technology careers.

TechYouth

TechYouthTechFirst is forcommitted youngto peoplewidening agedaccess, 11representation toand 18.opportunity Wein aimthe totech reachsector. oneThe millionprogramme will support 400,000 students in disadvantaged schools and colleges across the UKUK, withensuring opportunities togo developwhere theirthey techare skills,needed getmost.

In confidentschools withTechFirst AIis coordinated by dedicated Regional Delivery Partners who understand local labour market needs, school networks, and gainare insightwell intoplaced ato rangecoordinate oflocal potentialindustry techsupport. careers.

CyberFirstThese alreadypartners supportswill youngwork peoplewith interestedsecondary inschools cyberand securitycolleges, local authorities, employers and community organisations in schoolstheir area to deliver enrichment activity and collegespromote throughoutlocal training and career opportunities. Schools leading the country.way Byin Augusttechnology 2026,and thiscomputing will groweducation will be able to cover moreapply areasfor ofTechFirst technology,School withrecognition, activitywhere they could achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.

From September 2026 TechFirst will have a footprint in every region and home nation of the UK.

Online, Delivery partners will support the programmeTechFirst atlearning aplatform localwill level,launch organisingthis activitiesautumn andto inspirationhelp daysstudents forstudy schoolsComputing and collegesdiscover inthe theircareers areait andcan recognisinglead thoseto. makingNational stridescompetitions inwill technologyrun andthroughout computingthe education.year Theywith willprizes workto inbe partnershipwon, withincluding localthe industry,TechFirst academiaGirls andCompetition thirdthis sector organisations.November.

CyberIf Explorersyou isare oura interactiveschool cyberor securitycollege learningseeking platformto forbring 11the benefits of TechFirst to 14your yearstudents, olds.please Itget offersin freetouch interactivevia learning,email:

• East liveof competitionsEngland: andTechFirst@techeducators.co.uk
• East tailoredMidlands: lessonTechfirst@in4group.co.uk
• West plans, withMidlands: overTechFirst@digitalinnovators.co.uk
• London: 120,000TechFirst@stem.org.uk
• South studentsEast: registeredTechFirst@stem.org.uk

Partners already.in Wethe areremaining workingregions withand industryhome partnersnations will be available to growcontact oursoon.

TechFirst virtualAI offerApprenticeship inPathway

TechFirst 2026,is launching contenta acrossproof moreof areasconcept ofin computingNorth andWest tech.

LastEngland year’sto CyberFirstsupport Girlsyoung Competitionpeople sawat almostrisk 10,000of girlsleaving takeschool partwithout tacklingmoving challengesinto fromwork cryptographyor tofurther machineeducation. learningDelivered forwith IN4 Group, TechFirst’s Regional Delivery Partner, the chanceprogramme togives beparticipants crowneda cybershort, securityintensive champions.grounding Winnersin eachAI tookfundamentals homeand core workplace skills, before they progress to a brand-new12‑month laptopLevel and3 prizeAI moneyaugmented fordigital theirapprenticeship school.with Wea arelocal nowemployer. lookingBy forwardlinking that training directly to an excitingapprenticeship, TechFirstthis Girlsapproach Competitiongives inyoung 2026.

Forpeople universitya students

TechGradclear Scholarship

TechGradroute isinto forskilled those whowork wantfrom tothe takeage of 16. Insights from the universityproof routeof intoconcept will shape a techwider career.rollout Itacross aimsEngland tofrom support2027, upand toinform 900how domesticTechFirst undergraduatecan studentsbe andbetter 100integrated master’sacross studentsKey everyStage year.4.

The

For undergraduateuniversity scholarshipstudents

TechFirst programmeUndergraduate isScholarship

The designedTechFirst toUndergraduate helpScholarship supports students from all backgroundsbackgrounds, across every part of the UK, to build the skills and connections they need forto start a career in tech.

It is open to students planningwith toan studyinterest atand anyaptitude UKfor university—technology, youplanning justto needstudy anat interestany andUK aptitudeuniversity. for technology. Scholarship holders will receive £4000 pereach year of their degree, access to summer placement opportunities with top tech employers and access to an inclusive network of experts and alumni.

ApplicationsFrom forSeptember study in 2026 havestudents nowin closed.the Applicationsexisting forCyberFirst 2027Bursary scholarshipsscheme will openbecome inTechFirst Septemberscholars, 2026.

Semiconductorsjoining Scholarship 

Semiconductorsour arefirst atnew thecohort. heartApplications offor the UK’s2027/28 frontieracademic technologies,year poweringwill innovationopen inthis areasautumn.

Semiconductors fromScholarship 

The artificialSemiconductors intelligenceScholarship tois cleana energy.distinct Asstrand part of the DigitalTechFirst andUndergraduate TechnologiesScholarship. SectorIt Plan,supports thestudents governmentto ispursue investingcareers in the developmentsemiconductor ofsector, athe highlyindustry skilledthat workforcedesigns toand supportmakes thisthe strategicallytiny vitalcomputer sector.

Tochips helpinside delivermodern thistechnology. ambition,These thechips governmentpower iseverything expandingfrom itsAI recently established programme to encourage and supportsmartphones undergraduate students to pursueclean careersenergy insystems, thehealthcare semiconductordevices sector. Students looking to study undergraduate degrees in electrical and electronicnational engineering,security-related computertechnologies.

The science,semiconductor materialsscholarship scienceis andopen physics will be able to applyUK forhome scholarships.

Thisstudents programmeplanning is designed to raisestudy awarenessElectrical ofand theElectronic semiconductorEngineering, sectorComputer andScience, promoteMaterials excitingScience andor rewardingPhysics careerat pathways.university. Scholarship holders will benefit from financial support, opportunities to connect with industryindustry, and access to professional development activities and training.

Applications Furtherfor details,the including2027/28 howacademic toyear apply,will open this autumn and will be sharedmade inthrough the comingTechFirst months.Undergraduate Scholarship application process. Register your interest now via the UK Semiconductor Centre.

Spärck AI Scholarship

For master’s students, the Spärck AI Scholarship (named after pioneering British computer scientist Karen Spärck Jones) will provide full tuition and stipend funding for master’s degrees atin 9 leading UK universities, paired to AI and AI interdisciplinary courses.courses at nine leading UK universities.

WeThe arescholarship lookingis foropen to talented individuals from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate leadership potential, resilience, and a clear vision for the future of AI.

As part of a prestigious cohort, you’llstudents will take part in a variety of activities that help you build connections across the AI landscapelandscape. and as a group. Towards the end of yourthe Master’s course, you’llstudents will have the chance to apply for a work placement in an AI-related field with one of our industry partners. Partner universities will soon provide details about the courses linked to the Spärck AI Scholarship.

ApplicationsThe to the first cohort of the Spärck AIcohort Scholarshipwill openedbegin ontheir 28studies Januarythis 2026.September. YouApplications canfor applythe through2027/28 ouracademic partneryear universitieswill detailsopen below.in winter.

• University of Bristol
• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh
• Imperial College London
• University of Manchester
• University of Oxford
• University of Newcastle
• University of Southampton
• University College London (UCL)

For researchers

TechExpertTechFirst PhD Support

TechExpertTechFirst will support 500over 1000 domestic doctoral students, offering a stipend top-up of up to £10,000 per year with comprehensive wraparound support. Students will be conductingresearching researchcritical questions in the frontier technology sectors,sectors focusingincluding on critical questions of national cyber security, machine learning, quantum technology and more.quantum technologies.

TechExpertThe programme aims to make doctoral study a more competitiveattractive and financially viable option for talented graduates, while alsoopening providing a pathway back into research for those whoalready mayin haveindustry. left due to financial constraints. By doing so, it strengthens the UK’s innovation pipeline and contributes to a more inclusive, resilient, and high-impact research ecosystem.

ApplicationsThe forfirst supportedPhD doctoralcohort trainingwill placesbegin cantheir bestudies appliedin forSeptember through2026. AutumnA andcurrent earlylist Winter,of withparticipating eligibleuniversities Centrescan forbe Doctoralfound Trainingon advertising the increasedTechFirst stipend.PhD ASupport currentwebpage. listApplications offor participatingthe universities2027/28 canacademic beyear foundwill here.open from this autumn.

Turing AI Fellowships

The Turing AI Fellowships were first launched to attract and retain the best AI research talent and support world-leading academic work across the UK. Since 2021, they have supported over 80 leading researchers across UK universities and institutions, helping to build a strong national AI research and innovation ecosystem.

ThisIn year,2025, DSIT announced an expansion of the Turing AI Fellowships to strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in AI. The expanded programme now includes 2 new fellowship opportunities:

Turing AI Global Fellowships

The Global Fellowships will bring world-class AI researchers from around the globe to the UK. Fellows will relocate to the UK and lead a 5-year programme of cutting-edge AI research. They will receive support for visas, relocation and family transition, ensuring a smooth move to the UK, and join a cohort of Turing AI Fellows shaping the UK’s long-term AI ecosystem. The Turing AI Global Fellowships are part of the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, our roadmap to ensure the UK remains a global leader in AI.

Turing AI Pioneer Interdisciplinary Fellowships

Turing AI Pioneer Interdisciplinary Fellowships will provide established professionals from non-core AI backgrounds with resources to develop develop AI skills skills and knowledge to tackle a specific challenge in their fields. Fellows will receive research funding and be connected with with AI mentors, mentors, experts, and industry leaders.

Turing AI Pioneer Fellowship applications launched via UKRI on 22 July,July 2025 and closed on 14 October 2025. More information can be found hereon the UKRI webpages.

For local businesses,businesses innovators, and tech talent

TechLocalTechFirst Local

TechLocalTechFirst Local is a regional grant fund designed to support local employers and tech talent across all parts of the UK. Delivered by Innovate UK, it aims to help regional innovators and small businesses find skilled people, connecting them to roles that create growth.

This Theyear’s fundcompetition closed for applications onin 18 March 2026. More2026. detailDetails onof the winning projects will be sharedpublished when they commence inthey July.begin this summer.

TechFirst Women’s Programme

The TechFirst Women’s Programme is designed to boost the number of women entering, staying, and progressing in high‑demand tech roles. ItThe programme will provide training, tailored support and role placementplacements tofor at least 300 participants nationwide, promotingfocusing theiron long‑term retention by embedding inclusive workplace culture and clear progression pathways. By lowering the cost and risk barriers that often prevent SMEs from hiring new talent, the programme enables more businesses to benefit.

ForFurther interestedinformation providers,will pleasebe findpublished morehere detailsin on the procurementcoming processmonths here.on Ifhow youto aretake interestedpart, in being part of this future programme, either as a partner employer or participant, please watch this space for further updates.participant.

How organisations and industry can get involved    

ForThe organisations interested in supporting the TechFirst programmecommunity andwill developingformally thelaunch talentedin studentsautumn coming2026. throughGeneral it,membership pleasewill getbe inopen touchto viaorganisations TechFirst@dsit.gov.uk.

Thereof areany 2size mainthat wayswant to support asTechFirst. anThis organisation:

• TechFirstcould membersinvolve willvolunteering lendwithin supportschools, tosponsoring theevents, varioushosting activitiesplacements, withinand the more.

  TechFirst programme,Partners includingare engagingorganisations withwho events,have volunteeringpledged withinlarge-scale schoolssupport to the programme and supportingthe scholarshipwider workskills placements.

• Strategicecosystem. industryThey partnersmust willdemonstrate committheir commitment to substantialdeveloping numbersearly-stage oftalent scholarshipby workproviding placements,substantial volunteering hours andto otherTechFirst formsactivities of in-kind support across the UK.UK, Theysummer willplacements, supportentry-level bothopportunities theand successfulother deliveryforms andof strategicin-kind oversightsupport.

  Our ofcurrent theTechFirst programme.Partners are:

  • Arm
  • Cisco
  • Cognizant
  • IBM
  • Microsoft

  IfFor youorganisations are an industry professional interested in supporting theTechFirst programme and sharingdeveloping yourthe expertisetalented withstudents schools,coming pleasethrough considerthe signingprogramme, upplease toget becomein atouch STEMvia AmbassadorTechFirst@dsit.gov.uk.

  If you are an industry professional interested in supporting the programme and sharing your expertise with schools, please consider signing up to become a STEM Ambassador.

  CyberFirst International Pilots

  CyberFirst is the UK’s established cyber security skills programme, engaging over 415,000 young people since launch. Because of its proven impact and international reputation, we are piloting a small number of CyberFirst programmes are being piloted overseas alongside the domestic TechFirst rollout.

  UK delivery partners are licensed to run CyberFirst programmes in other countries under the same standards used in the UK, ensuring consistency in course content, teaching quality and learner experience. A portion of revenue from international delivery is reinvested into the UK’s TechFirst ecosystem, supporting long-term programme sustainability.

  The first pilots will run from mid-2026 in Saudi Arabia and Canada, testing the model across different education systems and workforce contexts.

  Once the pilots conclude, wethe findings will reviewbe thereviewed findingsto andshape consider how international delivery couldcan support the wider TechFirst programmein going forward.future.

  For essential digital skills

  In addition to the TechFirst programme, the government is committed to ensuring everyone has the essential digital skills they need to get on in everyday life and the workplace. To find out more about government’s work to support essential digitalessential digital skills, please visit:

  • Skills for Life to find training courses in essential digital skills, to progress your career and stay competitive in the workplace.
  • AI Skills Boost to find the training and resources to start your your AI upskilling upskilling journey. This is part of government and industry’s commitment to upskilling 10 million UK workers with essential essential AI skills skills for the workplace by 2030.