UKCCAI CDT Scholarship 2027 is a UKRI-funded PhD programme offering fully funded doctoral studentships focused on citizen-centred AI. The CCAI CDT Scholarship 2027 in UK provides tuition, a tax-free stipend and a research training grant to support four years of doctoral research.
The programme is hosted through Northumbria University and brings together interdisciplinary supervision in AI, design, society, law and governance. It welcomes UK and international applicants and offers pre-application workshops, templates and feedback to support submissions.
CCAI CDT Scholarship Benefits
- Fully funded four-year UKRI studentship and research support.
- Tax-free stipend.
- Research training grant to support your research activities.
- Home fee status: UKRI stipend (£21,805 for 2026/27) plus TechFirst uplift to £30,000 a year.
- International fee status: UKRI stipend (£21,805 for 2026/27) and full international tuition fees covered.
- Part-time studentships are paid pro rata.
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CCAI CDT Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants normally have a 2:1 degree or better (or an equivalent GPA).
- A Masters degree (preferably Merit or above) or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
- Appropriate IELTS score if required.
- You cannot apply if you already hold a PhD or are currently engaged in doctoral study.
- If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0 (or an accepted equivalent).
How to Apply for CCAI CDT Scholarship
- Explore the strategic challenges and choose a suitable research direction.
- Develop your proposal using the required Research Proposal Template.
- Gather your documents: two-page CV, research proposal, EDI data/personal statement, degree certificates and transcripts, English-language evidence where required.
- Use the provided proposal template and adhere to word counts in each section.
- Submit a full-time application via /apply/application-full-time/ or a part-time application via /apply/application-part-time/.
- Request pre-application feedback (one per applicant) before the feedback deadline if desired.
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Monday, 11 January 2027. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the CCAI CDT Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What funding does the CCAI CDT Scholarship provide?
Every successful applicant receives a fully funded four-year UKRI studentship covering full tuition fees, a tax-free stipend and a research training grant. The studentship supports research activities and includes stipend payments that depend on fee status, with specific provisions for Home and International fee statuses.
How much is the stipend for home fee students?
Home fee students receive the UKRI stipend (£21,805 for 2026/27) and eligible applicants can receive a TechFirst uplift, raising the stipend to £30,000 per year for September 2027 entry. TechFirst students also take part in up to 10 days a year of additional activities.
What does international funding cover?
International fee-status students receive the UKRI stipend (£21,805 for 2026/27) and the studentship covers full international tuition fees, meaning no tuition difference for the award holder. Note that some costs such as visa fees are not covered by the studentship.
Are there costs the studentship does not cover for international students?
Yes. The studentship does not cover student visa application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, English-language tests, or travel to the UK. Students must be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can begin and should consult UK government guidance on visa funds required.
Who is eligible to apply for the CCAI CDT Scholarship?
Applicants normally hold a 2:1 degree or equivalent, preferably a Masters (Merit or above), or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement. Applicants who already hold a PhD or are currently engaged in doctoral study are not eligible to apply.
What English-language qualifications are required?
If English is not your first language, the requirement is an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent. You may apply before taking your test and the Admissions team may accept prior study taught in English as evidence.
Can international and EU applicants apply?
Yes. Studentships are open to UK and international (including EU) applicants under UKRI guidelines, though there are a limited number of international awards each year. Applicants should check their fee-status eligibility before applying.
What documents are required when applying?
Applicants must submit a two-page CV, a research proposal using the required template, EDI data and an optional personal statement, degree certificates and transcripts, and English-language evidence where required. The application checklist on the site lists these documents and provides downloadable templates.
How do I prepare and submit my research proposal?
Use the provided Research Proposal Template and adhere to the specified word counts. The site provides guidance, example proposals and a presentation deck. Prospective applicants may request feedback on one complete draft before the feedback deadline, using the pre-application feedback process.
What are the key application dates and deadline?
Applications open 12 Oct 2026 and the application deadline is 11 Jan 2027 (17:00 GMT). There is a pre-application feedback deadline on 11 Dec 2026, interviews are scheduled from mid-February 2027, and the cohort starts on 21 Sep 2027.
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