The OfS has launched a funding competition to support universities and colleges to provide scholarships to students studying artificial intelligence (AI) and data science postgraduate conversion courses. Up to £17 million of funding will be available to address digital skills gaps in the workforce.
The competition, funded in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will fund scholarships worth £10,000 to encourage more women, black students, disabled students and students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to study AI and data science at universities and colleges in England. These groups of students are currently significantly underrepresented in these types of courses, and in AI and data science industries. As before, there is an extended list of other groups which may also be considered for scholarships, which includes students who have been in care.
Employers across the country are encouraged to take part in the programme and to co-fund scholarships. Supporting this government initiative, employers will take an active role in building a diverse pipeline of AI talent, and addressing the digital skills gap in the UK which is costing companies £2 billion a year.
To read the guidance and bidding template please visit:
https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/ai-and-data-science-postgraduate-conversion-course-scholarship-funding/