---
title: "CSP26281 - AI Sparck Scholarship Launch Event"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069bc9"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069bc9"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069bc9.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069bc9.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UKRI"
published: "2026-05-19"
---

# CSP26281 - AI Sparck Scholarship Launch Event

Buyer: UKRI  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069bc9

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069bc9.json)

## Summary

The UK Research and Innovate (UKRI), in collaboration with the Department for Science and Innovation (DSIT), has concluded a public procurement process under the framework of Crown Commercial Services - Media and Creative Services RM6364, Lot 6 Events. The contract, titled "CSP26281 - AI Spärck Scholarship Launch Event," involves Live Group Holdings as the appointed supplier to set up and manage an ambitious event. The event is scheduled to take place at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, with key dates falling in September 2026. The procurement stage is the award, following a selective procurement method, and is centred on the services category, specifically event services, marking a significant investment amounting to £134,000 (net of VAT). This initiative, designed for the AI Spärck Scholarship programme, aims to welcome the first cohort of scholars and serve as a platform for strategic partnerships and visibility.

This procurement presents notable opportunities for businesses specialising in event management, particularly those experienced in organising large-scale, formal events. The contract requires a supplier capable of delivering a high-profile, academically and industry-focused event, which includes networking opportunities, leadership workshops, and a hackathon centred on AI. Companies that excel in coordinating logistics, securing prominent speakers, and ensuring seamless event execution will find this contract aligns well with their capabilities. The event's focus on AI and leadership presents a fertile ground for businesses looking to partner with government bodies and educational institutions, facilitated through activities aiming to strengthen public-private partnerships and position the UK as a leader in AI talent development.

## Notice

**** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded following a limited competition procurement exercise against Crown Commercial Services - Media and Creative Services - RM6364 - Lot 6 Events . Brief Description of the Requirement: UK Research and Innovate (UKRI) are seeking to appoint a supplier to set up and manage a prestigious event to welcome the first Cohort of scholars to the Sparck AI Scholarship programme. UKRI alongside Department for Science and Innovation (DSIT) have a provisional hold for the venue at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. The successful supplier will be required to secure and finalise the booking. The successful supplier once appointed will be responsible for coordination of the two-day event taking place in September at The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester which shall include: * Liaising with scholars and their universities (supported by the Cohort Management Supplier from July 2026) * Sourcing a formal host for the two-day event that aligns to the AI and leadership focus of the event. * Organising the agenda for the event and liaising with DSIT when plans have been arranged to ensure this meets the aims and objectives of the event * Arranging suitable overnight accommodation for scholars, within walking distance of the venue. Bidders should consider this in line with UKRI's Travel and Expense Policy - https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-travel-subsistence-and-expenses-policy/ukri-business-expense-claims-business-travel-and-subsistence-policy/ * Discussing and addressing accessibility requirements and safeguarding at the venue location where required. * Arrange all catering requirements. A minimum package has been agreed to provisionally secure the venue. This package is for a minimum spend of PS32pp + VAT for lunch, however the supplier will need to manage this along with all other catering requirements which they will need to liaise with the venue on for pricing. Bidders will need to factor the pre agreed lunch package agreed into their costings and details of what the package includes can be located within the 'Contract Budget and Invoicing' section of this specification. * Identify and secure speakers and presenters for the two-day event. * Outline the core objectives in line with the launch proposal * Leading, arranging and conducting community building activities such as ice breakers * Mentorship and networking with industry stakeholders, to include breakout sessions with opportunities to network, and specific activities focused on industry engagement and networking skills. * Arranging and conducting leadership and growth workshops and next steps for scholars in the cohort experience. * Arranging and delivering a suitable and engaging industry focused AI challenge or hackathon for scholars * Post event follow up, including feedback surveys and a post-event report This event will mark a flagship moment for the Sparck AI Scholarship programme, bringing together Government ministers, university and industry anchor partners, and confirmed cohort 1 scholars to celebrate and showcase the UK as a global leader in AI talent development. The event will formally launch the programme, and serve as a convening point for strategic dialogue, collaboration, and visibility. The event will highlight the programme's ambition and the role of scholars in shaping the UK's AI future, formally announcing the go live announcement for Cohort 2 applications. The anticipated outcomes include strengthened public-private partnerships and media coverage positioning the UK as a global leader in AI talent development.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045701-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - award under framework |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 12 May 2026 |
| Contract period | 17 May 2026 - 20 Nov 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £134,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UKRI |
| Additional buyers | UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LIVE GROUP HOLDINGS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79952000 - Event services

## Release History

- 19 May 2026 at 11:07 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045701-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045701-2026
  19th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-16306
  CSP26281 - Bidding Documents

## Notice URLs

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsReleasePackages/ocds-h6vhtk-0502d0
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-travel-subsistence-and-expenses-policy/ukri-business-expense-claims-business-travel-and-subsistence-policy/

## 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-069bc9. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069bc9.json.