The government is launching a scholarship in honor of British computer scientist Karen Sparck Jones, who made significant strides in document indexing.
Labour announced full funding for master’s degrees at nine UK universities known for their work in artificial intelligence (AI) and STEM fields. With £17.2 million behind it, this initiative will offer scholarships to 100 talented students from the UK and abroad. Recipients will gain access to industry partnerships, work placements, and mentorships, including opportunities at the UK’s AI Security Institute and companies like Darktrace, Faculty, and Quantexa.
The universities involved in the Sparck AI scholarship program include Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Southampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, and Bristol. They will jointly design and fund the program. Labour is embedding this scholarship into its Plan for Change, providing a clear path for young people into skilled roles in the tech sector. By covering both tuition and living costs, this scholarship aims to ease the financial strain on students from low-income backgrounds who may struggle with university expenses.
Peter Kyle emphasized, “We are creating unique opportunities for bright young minds to pursue master’s degrees in AI with fully funded tuition and unmatched industry access.”
Applications will kick off in Spring 2026, with the first group starting their studies in October 2026. Alongside the Sparck AI scholarship, Kyle highlighted that the government is expanding its fellowship program to bring more talent into the UK’s AI sector, driving positive changes for the public.
The revamped Turing AI Fellowship aims to equip established professionals from various fields with the skills needed to address specific challenges in AI.
The Sparck AI scholarships and the expanded Turing Pioneer fellowships align with recommendations from the AI opportunities action plan, part of Labour’s industrial strategy. At the opening of London Tech Week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a collaboration with 11 major companies to train 7.5 million workers in AI by 2030, along with a £185 million investment in the UK’s education system to enhance computer science education in secondary schools.
Labour also plans to launch practical AI training for all civil servants soon, as part of an initiative called One Big Thing. This training aims to ensure civil servants have foundational knowledge of AI and understand its current applications in public services. Officials will also explore ways to utilize AI to improve their efficiency in various tasks.