---
title: "UKRI-5495 TechFirst: Payment Function"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)"
published: "2026-05-15"
---

# UKRI-5495 TechFirst: Payment Function

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b

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## Summary

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is seeking to procure a managed payment services solution for the TechFirst initiative, which supports the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This tender, titled "UKRI-5495 TechFirst: Payment Function," involves the provision of a comprehensive payment processing service. The role entails the onboarding of students and universities and managing all aspects of scholarship-related payments, such as secure payment execution and reconciliation. The procurement is in the Tender stage, utilising an open procedure. The contract is valued at £2,531,920 and covers services within the industry categories of financial consultancy, financial transaction processing, and administrative educational services. The procurement process is further detailed with deadlines for submission by 1st June 2026 and an award expected by 23rd June 2026. The contract period begins on 13th July 2026 and ends on 28th June 2030.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in payment processing and financial consultancy. Companies with expertise in secure payment systems and regulatory compliance, along with experience in serving educational institutions or public sector contracts, will find this an excellent opportunity to enhance their credentials and build partnerships with central government bodies. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors are encouraged to tender, given the alignment of this project with the broader educational and technological ecosystem in the UK. Successful bidders will not only gain financial returns but will also have the chance to contribute to the broader objective of strengthening the UK's tech talent pipeline, thereby playing a pivotal role in supporting national growth and security.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044732-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 1 Jun 2026 |
| Future notice date | 16 Dec 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 12 Jul 2026 - 28 Jun 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,531,920 |
| Lots value | £2,531,920 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI) |
| Locality | SWINDON, WILTSHIRE |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 66 - Financial and insurance services
- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services

### Codes

- 48612000 - Database-management system
- 66170000 - Financial consultancy, financial transaction processing and clearing-house services
- 66171000 - Financial consultancy services
- 75121000 - Administrative educational services

## Release History

- 15 May 2026 at 07:15 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044732-2026
- 14 May 2026 at 15:32 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044563-2026
- 30 Mar 2026 at 14:46 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029233-2026
- 9 Dec 2025 at 15:28 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081128-2025
- 5 Dec 2025 at 07:40 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079955-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044732-2026
  15th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044563-2026
  14th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029233-2026
  30th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081128-2025
  9th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079955-2025
  5th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d3dfc304-1a01-4246-bd64-30b6b049571c@8bb7e08e-daa4-4a8e-927e-fca38db04b7e/registration
- https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm0000090p8cMAA&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=
- https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm0000090p8cMAA&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=PleasenotethefollowingstepsforaccessingthisopportunityviatheAtamiseSourcingplatform:1.Loginorcreateanaccounthere:https://ukri2.my.site.com2.NavigatetotheopportunityintheFindanOpportunitysectionofthesiteorviathedirectaccesslinkabove.3.SelectRegisterInterest(youwillnotbeabletoviewthetenderdocumentationwithoutregisteringaninterest).4.GobacktothemainmenuandnavigatetotheMyProposalsandQuotessectionofthesite.5.Selecttheopportunityfromthelist.TenderDocumentsfordownloadarefoundintheDocumentstab.
- https://ukri2.my.site.com
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.ukri.org/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ef3b.json.