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UKESF Semiconductor Talent Award 2026 to support 700 undergraduates
The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is delighted to announce that the Semiconductor Talent Award 2026 will provide comprehensive skills support for 700 undergraduate students throughout the 2026/27 academic year, equipping them with the sector-specific knowledge needed by the semiconductor industry.
“This support will be crucial to raise awareness of highly skilled, rewarding careers in the sector, and create a robust pipeline of motivated and capable graduates.” Stewart Edmondson, CEO, UKESF
The Award, funded by the UK Government, has been both extended and expanded to provide a programme of activities for first-year students studying Electronics, Computer Science, Materials Science and Physics. Continued support will also be available for those who participated in the scheme in 2025 and are entering their second-year of university.
The UK Semiconductor Sector is strategically vital and globally competitive; it has a well-established global reputation for excellence in semiconductor design and innovation. It will play an important role in underpinning emerging and transformational technologies. However, it is estimated that the sector could require more than double the current level of employment inflows to meet future demand (Semiconductor Workforce Survey, UK Government 2025).
The Award aims to break down barriers to entering the semiconductor workforce for those from underrepresented groups. Successful Award-holders will receive a £4,000 scholarship to support their studies, alongside interactions with an experienced industry mentor, professional skills development opportunities and industry insight webinars, and regional industry visits.
The programme will be delivered in collaboration with academic and industry partners, including the University of Sheffield, University of Edinburgh, UK Semiconductor Centre, ARM, CSA Catapult, STFC, IMAPS-UK and Doulos.
Applications are open for students starting a degree in an eligible subject at a UKESF partner university in September/October 2026. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2026. Find out more here.
Speaking about the Semiconductor Talent Award, Stewart Edmondson, CEO, UKESF said “The investment being made by the Government is very positive and most welcome. We’re thrilled to continue our work with more of these aspiring and inspiring students.
We’ll do our best to improve their sector-specific knowledge and skills, and engage with industry so that they are prepared to the ground running as graduates. This will help build a robust future talent pipeline for the UK semiconductor sector”
Alex Leadley, Director of Skills and Workforce at the UK Semiconductor Centre said “We are delighted to see the UK Government’s continued support for the UKESF Semiconductor Talent Award scheme. Funding of this kind will help to widen participation and increase applications onto relevant degree courses, which feed the semiconductor talent pipeline. Interventions such as this are vital, if we are to raise awareness of STEM careers, highlight the opportunities in the UK chip design and manufacturing sector, and inspire the next generation of engineers to help shape the future.”
