Planning

UKRI-4863 National STEM Ambassadors programme

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Feb 2026 at 17:48

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is setting the stage for a national procurement initiative titled "UKRI-4863 National STEM Ambassors programme." This programme aims to renew the delivery and focus on the UK's largest STEM engagement initiative for young people aged 5-19, spanning from 1st October 2026 to 30th September 2032. Classified under business and management consultancy services, this tender falls within the services industry category. Located in Swindon, Wiltshire, UKRI heads the process as the central government authority. Currently in the planning stage with a market engagement webinar scheduled for 16th March 2026, stakeholders can gain insights into the programme and the procurement process. The expected communication of a future notice date is set for 27th April 2026, indicating readiness for forthcoming procurement stages.

This procurement offers a lucrative opportunity, with a budget of £25.5 million gross value, for businesses engaged in consultancy services, particularly those focused on STEM and education. With specific interest in SME and VCSE organisations, the tender is apt for businesses equipped to handle program development and youth engagement activities. Through five distinct work packages addressing recruitment, stakeholder engagement, innovative interventions, programme evaluation, and sector networking, suitable businesses can foster substantial growth. It particularly appeals to companies experienced in cultivating initiatives that engage young people from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as those capable of scaling and evaluating educational programmes on a national level.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-4863 National STEM Ambassadors programme

Notice Description

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is seeking a new supplier to continue the delivery of the STEM Ambassadors programme. UKRI wants to maintain the focus on STEM in this new contract whilst also piloting activities to build further on the existing focus of the programme. The STEM Ambassadors programme is an established, recognisable national programme that supports the UK Government in its ambitions to support young people to develop STEM skills and consider career opportunities in the STEM sector by connecting them with Ambassadors that work in the sector. It is the UK's largest STEM engagement programme for young people aged 5-19. The main priorities of the renewed programme will be to: - maintain its effectiveness as a national STEM volunteering infrastructure. - implement changes that improve the delivery and coordination of the programme - improve the programme's recruitment of Ambassadors from universities and academic research organisations - design, develop and implement targeted, innovative interventions that focus on young people from minoritised and underrepresented groups that have potential to be scaled up in local schools and non-school organisations (such as youth and community groups and cultural organisations such as art galleries and museums). - evaluate the effectiveness of the programme and targeted interventions. UKRI wants the programme to achieve the following objectives: 1. Support the development and growth of the STEM skills required for working within STEM. 2. To introduce and connect young people with the range of careers in STEM and challenge perceptions of what STEM is and who can work in STEM sectors. 3. To inspire young people and build their trust and understanding of STEM. The supplier will deliver these objectives through the following five work packages: * Work package 1: STEM Ambassador recruitment, induction, support and training * Work package 2: Employer and schools engagement and support * Work package 3: Coordinated UK wide activity at national and regional levels * Work package 4: Design, development, piloting and scaling of interventions targeting young people from underrepresented and minoritised groups * Work package 5: Monitoring and evaluation of programme and targeted interventions * Work package 6: Convening sector, network building and communications The programme will be delivered from 1st October 2026 until 30th September 2032 Market Engagement Webinar: UKRI is holding a market engagement webinar on 16th March 2026 commencing at 14.00 with a presentation followed by a question and answer session. This webinar is an opportunity to learn more about the STEM Ambassadors Programme and the procurement process as well as to provide valuable feedback on the requirement. 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. To find out more information about this webinar and register your interest https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/01f75b04-c7c5-48f4-8a03-7d3b838d4675@8bb7e08e-daa4-4a8e-927e-fca38db04b7e

Planning Information

Market engagement Webinar

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065ee2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018167-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£21,250,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Feb 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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. 

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