TechLocal
Details of the TechLocal grant funding programme to boost digital skills and jobs.
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Details
TechLocal is part of the government’s TechFirst initiative to improve skills across the UK’s digital sectors and help grow the economy. TechLocal funds local partnerships that help people develop the skills needed for jobs in fast-growing technology sectors, and supports employers to find the talent they need.
The programme focuses on frontier technologies including:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Cyber security
- Quantum computing
- Engineering biology
- Semiconductors
- Advanced connectivity technologies.
TechLocal has two separate grant funding competitions, each with different aims, eligibility and requirements.
TechLocal: Connecting local talent to local tech jobs
Aim
To support at least 1,000 people into tech jobs across the UK by funding projects that connect skilled individuals with local employment opportunities - particularly in SMEs.
Projects must focus on helping people move into entry-level tech roles (minimum 25 hours per week for at least six months).
What the funding supports
Projects that:
- Help newly trained individuals, career changers or returners move into tech jobs
- Support SMEs and local employers to recruit and retain tech talent
- Offer activities such as work placements, apprenticeships, mentoring or employer-led onboarding
- Address local skills gaps and contribute to local economic strengths
Funding available
- Total fund: up to £7.6 million
- Grant size per project: £100,000 - £225,000
Find out more at an online briefing
For more information on this local jobs strand of TechLocal, join the online briefing event for applications at 11:30 on Tuesday 10 February 2026:
Briefing slides will be available to download from the ‘Supporting Information’ link after the event.
TechLocal: AI Professional Degree and Traineeship Accelerator
Aim
To develop AI focused professional practice degree courses, graduate traineeships and work experience opportunities that provide industry ready AI skills, aligned to local and strategic demand.
What the funding supports
Projects that deliver:
- New or updated Level 6 or Level 7 AI courses with integrated work-based learning
- Graduate traineeships with industry mentorship
- Internships, work placements or co-operative education opportunities with local employers
- Strong partnerships between educators and employers
Funding available
- Total fund: up to £7.8 million over four years
- Grant size per project: £100,000 - £300,000
Find out more at an online briefing
For more information on this AI strand of TechLocal, join the online briefing event for applications at 14:00 on Tuesday 10 February 2026:
Briefing slides will be available to download from the ‘Supporting Information’ link after the event.
Tech Local programme important dates
These dates apply to both the programmes described above.
- Publication date: 28 January 2026
- Applications open: 4 February 2026
- Applicant briefing sessions: 10 February 2026 (see above)
- Applications close: 18 March 2026 (11am UK time)
- Applicants notified: 27 April 2026
- Earliest project start date: 1 July 2026
How to apply
Applications for both strands must be submitted through the Innovation Funding Service (IFS). Full guidance on scope, eligibility and assessment criteria is provided within the service.
Apply for the local tech jobs grant scheme
Apply for the AI degrees and traineeship grant scheme
TechLocal: AI Professional Degrees and Traineeship Accelerator
About TechFirst
TechLocal is part of TechFirst, the government’s flagship £187 million tech skills programme, designed to open pathways into the fast-growing tech sector for people of all ages and backgrounds. It builds on the success of CyberFirst and aims to reach one million young people while supporting over 4,000 graduates, researchers and innovators across the UK.
TechFirst is made up of four strands, each supporting people at different stages of the tech talent pipeline:
- TechYouth – for young people aged 11 to 18, offering opportunities to develop tech and AI skills and explore future careers.
- TechGrad – providing scholarships and support for university students studying key technology subjects.
- TechExpert – funding and industry engagement for doctoral researchers in AI, cyber, quantum, semiconductors and other frontier tech fields.
- TechLocal – regional funding competitions that help connect skilled people to tech jobs and create new AI degrees and graduate traineeships .
For more information, visit the TechFirst page.