TechLocal AI Professional Degre

Animal Research Rule: Projects involving animals must comply with UKRI animal welfare guidance. Additional information required if applicable.

Appendices Required: Minimal Financial Assistance declaration. Approach appendix. Team summary appendix. Project plan or Gantt chart. Risk register. Je-S form for academic institutions.

Application Limit: Academic institution or education provider can lead up to two applications and collaborate in any number. Businesses, charities, not for profits, public sector organisations and RTOs can collaborate in two applications.

Application Platform: Innovation Funding Service

Application Sections: Project details. Application questions. Finances.

Assessment Process: Reviewed by three independent assessors. Portfolio approach applied.

Co-Funder: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Collaborating Organisations: UK registered business of any size; academic institution; charity; not for profit; public sector organisation; research and technology organisation.

Collaboration Rules: Single or collaborative applications allowed. If collaborative, lead and at least one other organisation must apply for funding. No partner may account for more than 70% of total eligible costs.

Competitiveness: Approximately 25% chance of success based on similar competitions.

Decision Risks: Portfolio approach may limit awards. Exceeding Minimal Financial Assistance limit makes application ineligible. Outstanding payments to Innovate UK may affect decision. Government funding withdrawal may revoke award.

Decision Timeline: Applicants notified 27 April 2026.

Eligible Expenses: Eligible project costs only. Funding requested at 100%. Contributions in finance table must be £0. Academic institutions must upload Je-S form.

Eligible Scope: Development of Level 6 or Level 7 AI curricula, courses, modules, traineeships, internships and work placements. Must embed work integrated learning. Must focus on AI technology. Must demonstrate regional impact. Must not replicate other TechFirst initiatives. Must include strong employer engagement.

Funding Intensity: 100% funding of eligible costs subject to £315,000 Minimal Financial Assistance limit over three financial years. Research organisations undertaking non economic activity may receive up to 100% of eligible costs. Je-S registered institutions receive 80% FEC.

Funding Rate: 100% of eligible project costs subject to Minimal Financial Assistance limit

Important Notes: Must request 100% funding in finance table. Projects must not start before Grant Offer Letter approval. Funding allocation may be adjusted.

Ineligible Projects: Projects not focused on AI. Projects without impact in specified geographical areas. Projects replicating other TechFirst initiatives. Projects involving primary production in fishery, aquaculture or agriculture. Projects not eligible under Minimal Financial Assistance. Projects dependent on export performance or domestic input usage.

Interview Stage: Not specified

Key Requirements: Must ensure at least 90% of participants undertake work experience, internship or traineeship. Must demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion. Must show regional delivery capability. Must start on first of the month. Must not include URLs in application answers.

Match Funding Requirement: Not required in finance table. Contributions must be £0.

Project Duration: 18 to 45 months

Project End Date: Must end by 31 March 2030

Project Start Date: From 1 July 2026

Publication Date: 2026-02-03 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Previously submitted application that reached assessment stage can be resubmitted once if not materially different.

Research Category: Experimental development

Sanctions Rule: Funding will not be provided where it breaches UK sanctions.

Subcontractors: Allowed. Must follow usual procurement process. Overseas subcontractors must be justified. Lower cost alone is not sufficient reason.

Subsidy Scheme: Awarded as Minimal Financial Assistance under Subsidy Control Act 2022. £315,000 cap over three year rolling period.

Total Fund Available: £7,800,000