Initiatives and Projects

Initiatives and projects supported and advertised by ECRI

Spärck AI Scholarships

Purpose

The Spärck AI Scholarships are a prestigious, government-funded scholarship programme designed to support the next generation of artificial intelligence leaders. Named in honour of pioneering British computer scientist Karen Spärck Jones, the scholarships aim to develop highly skilled graduates who will contribute to the UK’s AI ecosystem across research, industry, and the public sector.

Delivered at Imperial College London, the scholarships provide full financial support for postgraduate taught Master’s programmes aligned with artificial intelligence, data science, and related disciplines. The programme forms part of a national initiative backed by £17.2 million in government funding and delivers on a key recommendation of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.

Successful scholars will join a high-calibre, cohort-based programme that combines academic excellence with leadership development, industry exposure, and professional networking, supporting the development of responsible, high-impact AI innovation.

Scholarship Overview

  • Degree level: Postgraduate taught
  • Mode of study: Full time
  • Academic year: 2026/2027
  • Number of awards: 8
  • Value: Full Home rate tuition fees and a UKRI stipend
  • Tuition fee status: Home and Overseas
  • Available to: Prospective students only
  • Application deadline: 17 April 2026 (23:59 UK time)

Please note that this scholarship is not available to continuing students and cannot be deferred.

Eligibility

The Spärck AI Scholarships are available to applicants holding an offer for one of the eligible postgraduate taught courses listed below.

Faculty of Engineering

  • MSc Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovation
  • MSc Artificial Intelligence
  • MSc Machine Learning and Process Systems Engineering
  • MSc Applied Machine Learning
  • MSc Computing
  • MSc Computing (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)
  • MSc Computing (Security and Reliability)
  • MSc Computing (Visual Computing and Robotics)
  • MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
  • MSc Computing (Management and Finance)
  • MSc Renewable Energy with AI and Data Science: Geology and Geophysics
  • MSc Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning
  • MSc Geo-Energy with Machine Learning and Data Science

Faculty of Natural Sciences

  • MSc Applied Mathematics (Scientific Computing and Machine Learning)
  • MSc Digital Chemistry with AI and Automation

School of Public Health

  • MSc Health Data Analytics and Machine Learning

To be eligible, candidates must, by 23:59 (UK time) on Friday 17 April 2026 hold an offer of admission for one of the eligible postgraduate taught courses listed above. Only the courses listed above are eligible for this scholarship.

Please note that some departments operate application rounds with fixed deadlines. Applicants are advised to review course-specific application deadlines carefully.

Funding

Each scholarship provides:

  • Full Home rate tuition fees; and
  • A UKRI stipend for the duration of the Master’s programme.

All scholarships are awarded subject to acceptance of the scholarship Terms and Conditions and are conditional upon the recipient holding an unconditional offer to study at Imperial by September 2026.

Application Process

  • For information on the full application process, please visit the Spärck AI Scholarships webpage.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview with an academic panel.
  • Interview dates will be confirmed in due course.

Selection Criteria

The selection process recognises that excellence and potential can be demonstrated in a variety of ways and through diverse experiences. Assessors will consider evidence of the following:

Strengths

  • Curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving
  • Comfort with ambiguity and change
  • Strong communication
  • Entrepreneurial mindset and leadership potential
  • Teamwork

Motivations

  • What it means to be part of a government-funded scholarship and how you would leverage this opportunity
  • Why you want to be part of a cohort-based programme
  • Your motivation to contribute to the AI ecosystem in the UK

Cohort Experience and Industry Engagement

  • Spärck AI Scholars will become part of a world-class cohort of ambitious and adaptable individuals. Throughout the academic year, scholars will take part in structured activities designed to foster collaboration, leadership development, and engagement with the wider AI community.
  • The programme includes industry exposure, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Towards the end of the Master’s course, scholars may apply for a work placement with one of the programme’s industry partners in an AI-related field.
  • Companies participating in the programme include PolyAI, Quantexa, CausaLens, Flok, Beamery, Darktrace, and Faculty.

Outcome of the Award

Successful applicants will be notified by email no later than 31 July 2026. If you have not heard by this date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

The first cohort of Spärck AI Scholars will commence their studies in October 2026.

Contact

For more information, please visit the Spärck AI Scholarships webpage.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Scholarships Team at: scholarships@imperial.ac.uk