This funding round has closed.

TechLocal AI Professional Degree and Traineeship Accelerator

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)

Closed

Funding

£100,000 – £300,000

Location

England

Applications

Open until 18 March 2026

Overview

This grant provides £100,000 to £300,000 for UK academic institutions and education providers. You can use the money to develop programmes that train AI professionals. The training must match local skills demand in your area. Total funding available is £7.8 million from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The deadline is 18 March 2026. You need to show how your programme will create industry-ready AI professionals. The funding is only available in England.

Eligibility

Who can apply:

academic

Key requirements:

Must be academic institution or education provider
Must develop AI professional training programmes
Must align training to local skills demand

Who is this for?

This grant is for universities, colleges, and other education providers in England. You need to be developing AI training programmes that match local employer needs. This is not for individual businesses or training companies outside the academic sector.

Sectors

Education

Regions

England

Full details from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)

UK academic institutions and education providers can apply for funding to develop initiatives that build industry ready AI professionals aligned to local skills demand. Funding of £7.8 million is provided by DSIT.