Tender

UKRI-5495 TechFirst: Payment Function

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

30 Mar 2026 at 14:46

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

09 Dec 2025 at 15:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

05 Dec 2025 at 07:40

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is currently seeking to procure a managed payment services solution for scholarship-related payments under the TechFirst initiative. Located in Swindon, Wiltshire, UKRI aims to enhance the UK's tech talent pipeline through payment administration for programmes such as TechGrad, Spärck AI, and Semiconductors Undergraduate Scholarship. The contract carries a gross value of £3,038,304 and employs an open procedure for procurement. Interested parties must note key dates, including the tender closing on 18 May 2026 and the award expected by 23 June 2026, with contract commencement on 1 July 2026 for a period of four years.

This procurement presents valuable opportunities for businesses involved in financial consultancy, transaction processing, database management, and administrative educational services. The tender is particularly suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, as it promises growth in both domestic and frontier tech industries by investing in future talent. Successful bidders will have the chance to manage significant funds and facilitate seamless payment processes, fulfilling a role essential to strengthening the UK’s domestic tech talent pipeline. Businesses that demonstrate robust data protection, counter-fraud, and risk management capabilities will be well-suited for this contract, ensuring compliance with stringent legislative and regulatory standards.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5495 TechFirst: Payment Function

Notice Description

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is procuring a managed payment services solution to administer and disburse scholarship-related payments at scale on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The service will provide an end-to-end payment processing function, covering the onboarding of students and universities, verification of identity and bank details, secure payment execution, reconciliation of funds, fraud prevention, and performance reporting. The scope of the procurement includes payment administration for the TechGrad (undergraduate) Scholarship Programme, the Sparck AI (master's) Scholarship Programme, and the Semiconductors Undergraduate Scholarship Programme. In addition, the supplier will continue to administer payments for CyberFirst students during the transition period to the TechFirst programme. The supplier will be responsible for administering all authorised payments to eligible students and higher education institutions in accordance with UKRI/DSIT instructions and applicable grant conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, scheduled and ad hoc payments such as scholarships, stipends, tuition fee payments, summer placement payments, reimbursements, and discretionary payments (for example, travel or hardship payments), delivered within timeframes specified by UKRI/DSIT. The supplier must establish and operate a straightforward, scalable onboarding process for all participating students and institutions, including secure mechanisms for the collection and verification of identity and bank account details to enable timely and accurate payments. The service must comply with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, and government guidance relating to payments, data protection, and information security. The supplier will be required to implement appropriate due diligence, counter-fraud, and risk management controls, and to provide regular management information and reporting against agreed key performance indicators (KPIs).

Planning Information

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is undertaking preliminary market engagement to help shape an upcoming procurement supporting delivery of the TechGrad programme, part of the wider £187m TechFirst initiative to strengthen the UK’s domestic tech talent pipeline. TechGrad is an undergraduate scholarship programme supporting up to 900 UK students per year with a £4,000 annual scholarship throughout their studies. It forms the core of TechFirst, building on the successful CyberFirst model, where graduates have achieved an 88% employment rate in the cyber sector. The programme also includes the Spärck AI scholarship, offering up to 100 fully funded AI master’s degrees each year. Both scholarship schemes will provide wraparound support such as industry and government placements and training. Together, these initiatives aim to invest earlier in future tech talent, helping students gain the skills, experience, and networks needed to fill critical skills gaps and support growth in frontier tech industries. As competition for global talent increases, TechGrad seeks to incentivise domestic students and ensure the UK has a strong pipeline of skilled British nationals driving innovation and supporting national security. About This Procurement This procurement focuses on the payment processing function for the TechGrad programmes, delivered under a single contract of up to four years. The provider will manage the transfer of scholarship and other relevant payments directly to students on the TechFirst scholarship programme, ensuring compliance with all relevant legal, financial, and programme conditions. The TechFirst Scholarship Programme aims to support top domestic talent through their undergraduate studies. The first cohort will start in Autumn 2026, with approximately 600 students joining the programme (250 transferring from the existing CyberFirst bursary and 350 new students). There will be three further cohorts of up to 900 students recruited (2026/27, 2027/28, 2028/29). No recruitment is currently planned for 2029/30. The Spärck AI scholarship scheme aims to support domestic and international talent through their master's studies with a range of opportunities. The first cohort will start in Autumn 2026, with approximately 70-80 students that will sit across the nine partnered universities. There will be three further cohorts again of up to 100 students a year recruited (2027/28, 2028/29, 2029/30). Expected High-Level Requirements: Onboard TechGrad/CyberFirst students, including a route for students to submit identity and bank details for placement and scholarship payments. Cooperate with other TechGrad suppliers, IUK, and DSIT on data sharing while complying with robust data protection principles. Ability to securely manage data for individuals who have undergone national security vetting. Required for the TechGrad/CyberFirst scholarship programme, not for the Spärck AI scholarship programme. Ability to accept and process stipend budget from UKRI in the form of grants. The stipend money will be managed and delivered separately from the contract/service budget by UKRI. Ensure payment processes comply with all relevant guidance and regulations, including appropriate due diligence and counter-fraud processes. Make annual £4,000 scholarship payments to TechGrad students each September. Process annual placement stipend payments (approx. £2,000) for TechGrad/CyberFirst students, with first payments made between May and June 2026. Payments for the Spärck AI scholarship programme under this contract will take place for cohorts from 2027/28 onwards. Payments for the first cohort starting in Autumn 2026 will be managed through UKRI and universities directly. For the cohorts 2027/28 onwards, to make Stipend payments to Spärck scholars on a monthly/quarterly basis from the Autumn. The total stipend cost for each scholar over the course of their academic year will be between £21-24,000, dependant on London/non-London weighting. Tuition fee payments to be made directly to each university on a quarterly basis from the Autumn that year. This will be around £20,000 per scholar for the whole academic year. Universities will absorb the remainder of the scholar’s tuition fee. Provide appropriate management information and programme data to IUK for contract management and evaluation purposes. Market Engagement Webinar: A market engagement webinar will take place on 16th December 2025 at 10:00 AM. Following the session, the presentation and Q&A will be shared with participants. This webinar is an opportunity to learn more about the TechGrad Programme and the procurement process, as well as to provide valuable feedback. If you would like to take part, please register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d3dfc304-1a01-4246-bd64-30b6b049571c@8bb7e08e-daa4-4a8e-927e-fca38db04b7e/registration Please note that not registering an interest will not prevent any organisation from participating in any future procurement, nor will any information shared during preliminary market engagement provide an advantage in any subsequent process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029233-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

66 - Financial and insurance services

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

48612000 - Database-management system

66170000 - Financial consultancy, financial transaction processing and clearing-house services

66171000 - Financial consultancy services

75121000 - Administrative educational services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,531,920 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,531,920 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
18 May 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
16 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 28 Jun 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b-2026-03-30T15:46:46+01:00",
    "date": "2026-03-30T15:46:46+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PDQJ-7126-JDHG",
            "name": "UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PDQJ-7126-JDHG"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Polaris House",
                "locality": "Swindon, Wiltshire",
                "postalCode": "SN2 1FL",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "corporateprocurement@ukri.org",
                "name": "Corporate Procurement"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.ukri.org/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PDQJ-7126-JDHG",
        "name": "UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), is undertaking preliminary market engagement to help shape an upcoming procurement supporting delivery of the TechGrad programme, part of the wider PS187m TechFirst initiative to strengthen the UK's domestic tech talent pipeline. TechGrad is an undergraduate scholarship programme supporting up to 900 UK students per year with a PS4,000 annual scholarship throughout their studies. It forms the core of TechFirst, building on the successful CyberFirst model, where graduates have achieved an 88% employment rate in the cyber sector. The programme also includes the Sparck AI scholarship, offering up to 100 fully funded AI master's degrees each year. Both scholarship schemes will provide wraparound support such as industry and government placements and training. Together, these initiatives aim to invest earlier in future tech talent, helping students gain the skills, experience, and networks needed to fill critical skills gaps and support growth in frontier tech industries. As competition for global talent increases, TechGrad seeks to incentivise domestic students and ensure the UK has a strong pipeline of skilled British nationals driving innovation and supporting national security. About This Procurement This procurement focuses on the payment processing function for the TechGrad programmes, delivered under a single contract of up to four years. The provider will manage the transfer of scholarship and other relevant payments directly to students on the TechFirst scholarship programme, ensuring compliance with all relevant legal, financial, and programme conditions. The TechFirst Scholarship Programme aims to support top domestic talent through their undergraduate studies. The first cohort will start in Autumn 2026, with approximately 600 students joining the programme (250 transferring from the existing CyberFirst bursary and 350 new students). There will be three further cohorts of up to 900 students recruited (2026/27, 2027/28, 2028/29). No recruitment is currently planned for 2029/30. The Sparck AI scholarship scheme aims to support domestic and international talent through their master's studies with a range of opportunities. The first cohort will start in Autumn 2026, with approximately 70-80 students that will sit across the nine partnered universities. There will be three further cohorts again of up to 100 students a year recruited (2027/28, 2028/29, 2029/30). Expected High-Level Requirements: Onboard TechGrad/CyberFirst students, including a route for students to submit identity and bank details for placement and scholarship payments. Cooperate with other TechGrad suppliers, IUK, and DSIT on data sharing while complying with robust data protection principles. Ability to securely manage data for individuals who have undergone national security vetting. Required for the TechGrad/CyberFirst scholarship programme, not for the Sparck AI scholarship programme. Ability to accept and process stipend budget from UKRI in the form of grants. The stipend money will be managed and delivered separately from the contract/service budget by UKRI. Ensure payment processes comply with all relevant guidance and regulations, including appropriate due diligence and counter-fraud processes. Make annual PS4,000 scholarship payments to TechGrad students each September. Process annual placement stipend payments (approx. PS2,000) for TechGrad/CyberFirst students, with first payments made between May and June 2026. Payments for the Sparck AI scholarship programme under this contract will take place for cohorts from 2027/28 onwards. Payments for the first cohort starting in Autumn 2026 will be managed through UKRI and universities directly. For the cohorts 2027/28 onwards, to make Stipend payments to Sparck scholars on a monthly/quarterly basis from the Autumn. The total stipend cost for each scholar over the course of their academic year will be between PS21-24,000, dependant on London/non-London weighting. Tuition fee payments to be made directly to each university on a quarterly basis from the Autumn that year. This will be around PS20,000 per scholar for the whole academic year. Universities will absorb the remainder of the scholar's tuition fee. Provide appropriate management information and programme data to IUK for contract management and evaluation purposes. Market Engagement Webinar: A market engagement webinar will take place on 16th December 2025 at 10:00 AM. Following the session, the presentation and Q&A will be shared with participants. This webinar is an opportunity to learn more about the TechGrad Programme and the procurement process, as well as to provide valuable feedback. If you would like to take part, please register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d3dfc304-1a01-4246-bd64-30b6b049571c@8bb7e08e-daa4-4a8e-927e-fca38db04b7e/registration Please note that not registering an interest will not prevent any organisation from participating in any future procurement, nor will any information shared during preliminary market engagement provide an advantage in any subsequent process.",
                "dueDate": "2025-12-16T23:59:59Z",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "079955-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079955-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-12-05T07:40:59Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "081128-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081128-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-12-09T15:28:30Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "UKRI-5495",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "UKRI-5495 TechFirst: Payment Function",
        "description": "UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is procuring a managed payment services solution to administer and disburse scholarship-related payments at scale on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The service will provide an end-to-end payment processing function, covering the onboarding of students and universities, verification of identity and bank details, secure payment execution, reconciliation of funds, fraud prevention, and performance reporting. The scope of the procurement includes payment administration for the TechGrad (undergraduate) Scholarship Programme, the Sparck AI (master's) Scholarship Programme, and the Semiconductors Undergraduate Scholarship Programme. In addition, the supplier will continue to administer payments for CyberFirst students during the transition period to the TechFirst programme. The supplier will be responsible for administering all authorised payments to eligible students and higher education institutions in accordance with UKRI/DSIT instructions and applicable grant conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, scheduled and ad hoc payments such as scholarships, stipends, tuition fee payments, summer placement payments, reimbursements, and discretionary payments (for example, travel or hardship payments), delivered within timeframes specified by UKRI/DSIT. The supplier must establish and operate a straightforward, scalable onboarding process for all participating students and institutions, including secure mechanisms for the collection and verification of identity and bank account details to enable timely and accurate payments. The service must comply with all relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, and government guidance relating to payments, data protection, and information security. The supplier will be required to implement appropriate due diligence, counter-fraud, and risk management controls, and to provide regular management information and reporting against agreed key performance indicators (KPIs).",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "66170000",
                        "description": "Financial consultancy, financial transaction processing and clearing-house services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "48612000",
                        "description": "Database-management system"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "75121000",
                        "description": "Administrative educational services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "66171000",
                        "description": "Financial consultancy services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 3038304,
            "amount": 2531920,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-07-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2030-06-28T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 3038304,
                    "amount": 2531920,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 80,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                }
            }
        ],
        "status": "active",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "081128-2025",
                "description": "Revised total contract value clarification"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm0000090p8cMAA&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County= Please note the following steps for accessing this opportunity via the Atamis eSourcing platform: 1. Log in or create an account here: https://ukri2.my.site.com 2. Navigate to the opportunity in the Find an Opportunity section of the site or via the direct access link above. 3. Select Register Interest (you will not be able to view the tender documentation without registering an interest). 4. Go back to the main menu and navigate to the My Proposals and Quotes section of the site. 5. Select the opportunity from the list. Tender Documents for download are found in the Documents tab.",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-05-18T14:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-05-01T11:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-23T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
            },
            {
                "id": "029233-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029233-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-30T15:46:46+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}