TechFirst
TechFirst is the government’s flagship tech skills programme opening pathways into the UK’s fast-growing tech sector, providing opportunities across all parts of the UK.
TechFirst builds on the success of CyberFirst, the National Cyber Security Centre’s skills programme supporting talent into the cyber security sector since 2016. TechFirst brings this support to new areas of technology, reaching more people than ever before.
TechFirst offers tailored opportunities at key stages: from young people beginning to explore the world of technology and build their work experience, to students and researchers studying in vital areas, to local businesses seeking new talent.
The programme aims to:
- reach one million young people in secondary schools, prioritising the most disadvantaged schools across the UK
- support over 5000 students through undergraduate, master’s and PhD study and into the tech sector
- create and fill local tech jobs for more 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 develop tech skills, get confident with AI and explore frontier technology careers.
TechFirst is committed to widening access, representation and opportunity in the tech sector. The programme will support 400,000 students in disadvantaged schools across the UK, ensuring opportunities go where they are needed most.
In schools TechFirst is coordinated by dedicated Regional Delivery Partners who understand local labour market needs, school networks, and are well placed to coordinate local industry support. These partners will work with secondary schools and colleges, local authorities, employers and community organisations in their area to deliver enrichment activity and promote local training and career opportunities. Schools leading the way in technology and computing education will be able to apply for TechFirst School recognition, where 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, the TechFirst learning platform will launch this autumn to help students study Computing and discover the careers it can lead to. National competitions will run throughout the year with prizes to be won, including the TechFirst Girls Competition this November.
If you are a school or college seeking to bring the benefits of TechFirst to your students, please get in touch via email:
- East of England: TechFirst@techeducators.co.uk
- East Midlands: Techfirst@in4group.co.uk
- West Midlands: TechFirst@digitalinnovators.co.uk
- London: TechFirst@stem.org.uk
- South East: TechFirst@stem.org.uk
Partners in the remaining regions and home nations will be available to contact soon.
TechFirst AI Apprenticeship Pathway
TechFirst is launching a proof of concept in North West England to support young people at risk of leaving school without moving into work or further education. Delivered with IN4 Group, TechFirst’s Regional Delivery Partner, the programme gives participants a short, intensive grounding in AI fundamentals and core workplace skills, before they progress to a 12‑month Level 3 AI augmented digital apprenticeship with a local employer. By linking that training directly to an apprenticeship, this approach gives young people a clear route into skilled work from the age of 16. Insights from the proof of concept will shape a wider rollout across England from 2027, and inform how TechFirst can be better integrated across Key Stage 4.
For university students
TechFirst Undergraduate Scholarship
The TechFirst Undergraduate Scholarship supports students from all backgrounds, across every part of the UK, to build the skills and connections they need to start a career in tech.
It is open to students with an interest and aptitude for technology, planning to study at any UK university. Scholarship holders will receive £4000 each year of their degree, access to summer placement opportunities and an inclusive network of experts and alumni.
From September 2026 students in the existing CyberFirst Bursary scheme will become TechFirst scholars, joining our first new cohort. Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will open this autumn.
Semiconductors Scholarship
The Semiconductors Scholarship is a distinct strand of the TechFirst Undergraduate Scholarship. It supports students to pursue careers in the semiconductor sector, the industry that designs and makes the tiny computer chips inside modern technology. These chips power everything from AI and smartphones to clean energy systems, healthcare devices and national security-related technologies.
The semiconductor scholarship is open to UK home students planning to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science or Physics at university. Scholarship holders will benefit from financial support, opportunities to connect with industry, and access to professional development activities and training.
Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will open this autumn and will be made through the TechFirst 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 in AI and AI interdisciplinary courses at nine leading UK universities.
The scholarship is open 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, students will take part in a variety of activities that help build connections across the AI landscape. Towards the end of the Master’s course, students will have the chance to apply for a work placement with industry partners.
The first Spärck cohort will begin their studies this September. Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will open in winter.
For researchers
TechFirst PhD Support
TechFirst will support over 1000 domestic doctoral students, offering a stipend top-up of up to £10,000 per year with comprehensive wraparound support. Students will be researching critical questions in frontier technology sectors including national cyber security, machine learning, and quantum technologies.
The programme aims to make doctoral study a more attractive and financially viable option for talented graduates, while opening a pathway back into research for those already in industry. By doing so, it strengthens the UK’s innovation pipeline and contributes to a more inclusive, resilient, and high-impact research ecosystem.
The first PhD cohort will begin their studies in September 2026. A current list of participating universities can be found on the TechFirst PhD Support webpage. Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will 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.
In 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 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 AI skills and knowledge to tackle a specific challenge in their fields. Fellows will receive research funding and be connected with AI mentors, experts, and industry leaders.
Turing AI Pioneer Fellowship applications launched via UKRI on 22 July 2025 and closed on 14 October 2025. More information can be found on the UKRI webpages.
For local businesses and tech talent
TechFirst Local
TechFirst 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 year’s competition closed for applications in March 2026. Details of the winning projects will be published when they 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. The programme will provide training, tailored support and role placements for at least 300 participants nationwide, focusing on 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.
Further information will be published here in the coming months on how to take part, either as a partner employer or participant.
How organisations and industry can get involved
The TechFirst community will formally launch in autumn 2026. General membership will be open to organisations of any size that want to support TechFirst. This could involve volunteering within schools, sponsoring events, hosting placements, and more.
TechFirst Partners are organisations who have pledged large-scale support to the programme and the wider skills ecosystem. They must demonstrate their commitment to developing early-stage talent by providing substantial volunteering hours to TechFirst activities across the UK, summer placements, entry-level opportunities and other forms of in-kind support.
Our current TechFirst Partners are:
- Arm
- Cisco
- Cognizant
- IBM
- Microsoft
For organisations interested in supporting TechFirst and developing the talented students coming through the programme, please get in touch via TechFirst@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
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, 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, the findings will be reviewed to shape how international delivery can support TechFirst in 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 in everyday life and the workplace. To find out more about government’s work to support essential 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 AI upskilling journey. This is part of government and industry’s commitment to upskilling 10 million UK workers with essential AI skills for the workplace by 2030.
Updates to this page
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Guidance updated.
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Added details of the CyberFirst International Pilots.
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Cyber Explorers Cup returns from the 16 to 20 March 2026. Details about the TechLocal application added.
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First published.