TechFirst Doctoral Support

Growth and innovation in technology depend on a strong research ecosystem. TechFirst is designed to make doctoral study a more attractive and financially viable option for talented graduates, while also creating routes back into research for those already working in industry. In doing so, it helps strengthen the talent pipeline and build a more inclusive, high-impact research base across the UK.

TechFirst will support 1000 UK home doctoral students across 2 intakes, offering a stipend top-up of up to £10,000 per year alongside a package of wraparound support. This support is focused on home students to strengthen the UK’s domestic research talent pipeline in priority technology areas. Students will be conducting research in frontier technology areas, including national cyber security, machine learning, quantum technologies and other critical fields. International students are not eligible.

For the 2026 intake, Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) and Doctoral Focal Awards were selected in line with the priorities set out in the UK’s Industrial Strategy. Eligible PhDs were selected based on their relevance to the 6 frontier technologies in the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, alongside a small number linked to technology within the Financial Services sector.

Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will open from this Autumn.