Government Funding for Courses and Training in Artificial Intelligence

Apr 16

The need for businesses to upskill their teams in Artificial Intelligence is now a necessity and it seems that UK firms can now benefit from an upcoming UK Government scheme which provides 50% match funding.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recently announced a £7.4 million pilot scheme to subsidise the cost of AI skills training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Professional Business Services (PBS) sector. £6.4 million of grant funding is available. 


Through this pilot programme, eligible business can apply for funding for up to 50% of the cost of AI skills training. This refers to training which supports employees to develop their technical skills and/or understanding of AI to be able to develop, deploy, or use AI in their role.

The flexible AI upskilling fund pilot aims to increase AI adoption and productivity by incentivising greater employer-led investment in skills and training. Evidence shows that a lack of AI skills in businesses is hindering AI adoption, in part due to low investment in AI upskilling in UK businesses, particularly in smaller companies.

Funding is for the procurement of AI skills training only.

To be eligible to apply, a business must: 

  • Be registered and operate in the UK
  • Employ between 1-249 employees in the UK
  • Be defined as an SME per the SME Action Plan[footnote 3]
  • Have been operating for at least 1 year
  • Be able to match-fund 50% of the cost of the training
  • Operate in the Professional and Business Services sector (PBS) as defined by the following Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes:

SIC Division and Description
M – Professional, scientific and technical activities 69 - Legal activities/accounting, bookkeeping and audit
70 - Activities of head offices, management consultancy
71 - Architectural and engineering activities, technical testing and analysis
72 - Scientific research and development
73 - Advertising and market research
74 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities

N – Administrative and support service activities
77 - Rental and leasing activities
78 - Employment activities
82 - Office administration and other business support activities.

How to express an interest
Interested and eligible businesses are invited to submit an Expression of Interest through the Find A Grant advert.

If you need help with providing an estimate or a quote for training in Artificial Intelligence for your organisation, take a look at our courses in AI and contact us.
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