Description
The prestigious SPÄRCK AI Scholarships will be offered beginning in 2026, providing full financial support for Master's-level studies in Artificial Intelligence and related disciplines. Tuition fees will be entirely covered, and recipients will be granted a generous living stipend to support their academic journey. In addition, scholarship holders will be prioritized for hands-on placements with renowned organizations in the UK AI ecosystem, including both private sector leaders and government institutions. This initiative has been named in honor of Professor Karen Spärck Jones, a pioneer in Natural Language Processing and Information Retrieval, whose work laid the foundation for modern AI search algorithms. Her legacy is celebrated with the quote:
“Computing is too important to be left to men.”
A special VR exhibit has been designed to highlight her life’s work and lasting contributions to the AI field.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications will be welcomed from both UK-based and international candidates with exceptional academic records in STEM, AI, Data Science, or Computer Science.
Applicants will be assessed based on:
- Proven academic excellence
- Leadership potential
- A strong commitment to innovation in AI
Key Dates & Structure
Application Launch: Spring 2026
Program Start: October 2026
Total Scholarships: 100 awards distributed over 4 years
Total Investment: £17.2 million (UK Government)
Academic & Career Opportunities
Recipients will benefit from:
- Enrollment in top-tier UK universities: Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Imperial College London, Edinburgh, and others
- Access to career placements with AI-focused firms such as Darktrace, Faculty, PolyAI, Quantexa, and Beamery
- Opportunities to contribute to AI policy, research, and innovation in both academic and industry settings
VR Experience Highlights
Through the immersive platform, users will be able to explore the program via:
- University Hubs: Interactive 3D views of participating institutions
- Industry Portals: Virtual walkthroughs of top AI employers
- Timeline Tunnel: A guided visual journey through application, enrollment, and beyond
- Legacy Showcase: A dedicated VR zone celebrating Karen Spärck Jones
Expression of Interest
Prospective applicants are encouraged to register their interest in advance to receive updates as the application window approaches.
Website URL
https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/cambridge-and-dsit-announce-prestigious-sparck-ai-scholarships-to-support-next-generation-of-ai