New funding for SMEs to receive training on AI technology

The UK government has made £6.4 million in funding available for SMEs to pay for AI-technology skills-based training. Apply now before applications close on 18 August 2024.
A man points to a large screen with a lot of data and charts on it.
© Laurence Dutton

As part of a new pilot, the government have made millions available in funding for SMEs to pay for skills-based training in AI technology.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has announced a new funded pilot scheme to help small and medium-sized enterprises pay for AI-related skills training.

The government has made £6.4 million of grant funding available.

The pilot aims to encourage more businesses to adopt AI technology by empowering them with employer-led training.

Funding is available for the 2024-2025 financial year and can only be used for AI skills training, not for the purchase of new AI technology.

Eligibility and applications

To be eligible, your firm must:

  • be registered and operate in the UK
  • employ between 1 and 249 employees in the UK
  • be defined as an SME by the SME Action Plan
  • have been operating for at least one 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 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes

Find out more and apply on the Find a Grant website

You can find more information about the application process by watching the walkthrough video.

The application window is open now and will close on 18 August 2024.

Join a webinar on 1 August to find out more about the fund

DSIT is hosting a free webinar on Thursday 1 August 2024 from 10am to 11am, which will:

  • walk you through the application process of how to apply to the fund
  • share examples of AI adoption in the sector
  • give you an opportunity to ask questions about the fund

Sign up for the webinar