Image of two black students (one girl and one boy) happily constructing a robotic arm

Scholarship

Summer Scholarships for Black Students 2026

The call for applicants to participate in summer 2026 is now open. Three bursaries will be awarded.

Join our growing group of young Black scholars in computing.

Since 2020, we have provided financial support to Black scholars to enable them to experiment in a cutting-edge field, that can help to change the world. Hot technology topics previously covered include: Misinformation, Robotics, Human Computer Interaction, Blockchain and Knowledge Graphs.

As a KMi Scholar, you will receive a non-repayable bursary, mentoring, and support from the researchers, students and technicians who work in our project spaces. The bursary can be used to cover living costs or make up for your loss of earnings during the summer while you carry out a project lasting 8 weeks.

The project will start on 1st July 2026 and may be conducted online, at the Open University campus, or both. The award to each scholar will be £2,700.

The benefits

As KMi Scholars, you will create a story for future generations. The KMi team aim to make Black students feel at home in a computer science research environment and demonstrate what computing careers can offer. A scholarship could be a step forward in your career development. It can provide skills and evidence which can be included in applications to study at university or for employment. You will have a chance to explore and develop technologies in a playful way and contribute your ideas to the project.

Application process

The call for applicants to participate in summer 2026 is now open. These are the three research strands offered as part of a collaborative group project in the 2026 call.

Which of these Three research strands excites you?

This year, KMi is introducing a new summer scholarship format that focuses on youth innovation. The programme goes beyond developing new technologies to also explore new ways of understanding how technology affects society and how young people can actively shape the futures they want to live in.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not only a technical subject but also a social one. It influences how people learn, communicate, make decisions and interact with one another. For this reason, all of this year's challenges encourage scholars to engage with their communities as part of their projects. A community might include family members, friends, youth clubs, religious organisations, creative or music communities, or any group of people the scholar feels connected to.

In 2026, scholars will work together as a cohort around this shared theme of AI and society. While collaborating and learning from one another, each scholar will take the lead on one of the following three research streams, contributing their own perspective and ideas to the wider group. These research strands offer different but connected ways for scholars to explore AI-by learning and teaching about it, by imaging and building future technologies and by critically investigating its benefits and harms in everyday life.

Challenge 1 - From 'Huh?' to Aha! Cracking the code of research papers

Research Stream 1: AI Awareness and Community Learning

Project Tagline: Passionate about learning and teaching? Interested in helping your community better understand Artificial Intelligence? If so, this project is for you.

Project Background: Artificial Intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, influencing how we learn, communicate, work and make decisions. However, many people are unsure about what AI is, how it works and where its limits lie. These gaps in understanding can lead to confusion, misplaced trust or fear of new technologies. Education and training are therefore essential to help communities engage with AI in informed, confident and responsible ways. By developing clear and accessible learning resources, we can support young people to build AI literacy and make thoughtful decisions about how these technologies are used.

Project Description: In this project, you will design and create an educational resource that helps your community better understand AI and its limitations. You will begin by exploring key concepts such as what AI is, how it trained, what it can do well, and where it may fail or make mistakes. You may also gather insights from a specific group, such as students, youth groups or community members, using research methods to understand what people already know or find confusing about AI. Using this knowledge, you will create an engaging learning resource, such as a short guide, infographic, video or interactive tool that explains these ideas in a clear and engaging way. Your final output will be a practical and shareable resource designed to support critical AI literacy and encourage thoughtful discussion with your community.

Skill level required: This project is open to applicants with any level of computing experience. You should have basic digital skills, such as finding reliable information online, organising ideas and using simple presentation or design tools. You should be willing to explore new ideas and learn independently throughout the project. Research skills such as conducting short surveys, interviews or group discussions, are advantageous but not essential. Most importantly, this project values creativity, communication skills, curiosity and the ability to work collaboratively with others.

Challenge 2 - Building Trust with AI: Can CORE-GPT Be Our Truthful Friend?

Research Stream 2: Prototyping Future Technologies

Project Tagline: Love creating and imagining? Are you a design- or maker-oriented thinker excited about building future technologies? Do you enjoy experimenting with designs, gadgets or new techniques? If so, this project is for you.

Project Background: Artificial Intelligence is rapidly evolving, and the technologies we build today will influence the world of tomorrow. This research stream focuses on creativity, experimentation and innovation, encouraging a scholar to imagine what future AI-powered tools could look like and how they might support communities or society more broadly. By prototyping new ideas, the scholar can explore how emerging technologies might improve education, work, wellbeing or everyday life, while also considering their ethical and social implications.

Project Description: This project invites a scholar to imagine, design and prototype a technology that they believe could contribute to a better world. You will begin by researching real-world challenges faced by people or communities and brainstorm possible ways AI could help address these issues. You will then develop a prototype at a level that suits your background and interests. This could range from mocks-ups to interactive designs or simple working prototypes. Whether you are technical or non-technical, you will explore how AI can be used responsibly, creatively and ethically. The final outcome will be a clearly developed concept and prototype that demonstrates your vision of a socially beneficial AI solution to life.

Skill level required: This project is open to applicants with any level of skill in computing. No coding experience is required, but scholars with basic knowledge of Python, Javascript or AI tools are welcome to develop more advanced prototypes. You should be willing to explore new ideas and learn independently throughout the project. An interest in ethics, fairness or the social impact of technology is beneficial. Creative thinking, problem-solving, communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a group is essential.

Challenge 3 - Generative AI and Controversial Topics

Research Stream 3: Discovery of AI Benefits and Harm

Project Tagline: Love exploring big ideas and asking critical questions? Curious about how AI shapes our lives, decisions and communities? If so, this project is for you.

Project Background: Artificial Intelligence has the potential to bring significant benefits, such as improved accessibility, automating routine tasks and offering personalised support. At the same time, it can also raise concerns, including bias, misinformation, privacy risks and unfair treatment. Understanding these effects requires critical inquiry and evidence-based investigation rather than assumptions or hype. This research stream focuses on exploring how AI impacts people and communities in real and meaningful ways. By examining both positive and negative outcomes, scholars can better understand where AI supports social good, where it may cause harm and how evidence-based research can guide more responsible and ethical use. The project encourages a scholar to explore these questions through issues that matter to their own communities and lived experiences.

Project Description: In this project, you will design and carry out a small-scale research experiment that investigates an important question about the societal benefits or harm of AI. You will begin by identifying an issue that is relevant to your community. You will then develop a research question and choose an appropriate way to explore it. This might include analysing AI outputs, comparing scenarios or gathering perspectives from users. After collecting or examining your data, you will then evaluate what your findings reveal about AI's opportunities, limitations or risks and present your conclusions through a short report, presentation or video that clearly explains your research process and insights.

Skill level required: This project is open to applicants with any level of computing experience. You should be curious about the social impacts of technology and comfortable exploring ideas independently. Basic research skills, such as conducting surveys or interviews or analysing examples of AI outputs, can be helpful but are not required. The project particularly values critical thinking, problem-solving, thoughtful reflection on ethical and social issues and the ability to work effectively in a group.

Key Dates for 2026

The scholarship projects will start on 1st July and run for 8 weeks until 26th Aug 2026.

How to Apply

In order to qualify for a scholarship, you must meet all the following criteria:

Identify as being from a Black background (see Appendix 1 for full details).
Aged between 16 and 20 years on 28th May 2026
Have an interest in technology and sufficient time available during the summer.
Be ordinarily resident in the UK.
Be able to provide details of two referees whom we can contact if you are selected for a scholarship (at least one is required from your educational institute, the other can be from a personal referee).
Be available to carry out a project which will start on 1st July 2026 and run for 8 weeks until 26th August 2026

We will be awarding three scholarships and have created a simple application process.

We will ask you to complete an application form.

A description of any interest you have in technology, and what relevant skills or experience you have, if any.
Give an example of when you have worked well in a pair or team or an example of when you have managed your time.
Which of the three research streams appeal to you and why?
What time commitment do you think will be needed to carry out a project, and how will you fit this around other commitments during the 6 to 8 weeks?

Prior knowledge of programming is not essential. We value and promote theoretical diversity in computing.

Taking part in a scholarship project will enhance employability, develop computer science skills and/or provide a social benefit.

The award will be made by a panel of OU staff and students. The panel will assess applicants' personal statements. Funds are limited, and no guarantee of an award can be made.

What happens at the end of the project?

The results will be shared with KMi, for example, by uploading a report in the OU's Open Research Online repository (ORO), by depositing data or code in the Open Research Data Online repository (ORDO) or by making a short video to show your findings.

About KMi

KMi is a Computer Science Research & Development Lab. We are a diverse, multi-national bunch passionate about what we do. We treat everyone as a valued team member, be they professors, researchers, post-grad students or other non-academic staff. We believe in research that impacts the real world with real users.

A Photo of all KMi staff

Aims of the Scholarship

There has been an underrepresentation of Black people among the visitors who come to KMi every summer. Black people are also underrepresented among computer science postgraduate students. This annual scholarship aims to improve representation and create greater awareness of computer science research.

Chapter 2 of The Equality Act 2010 allows service providers to take action that may involve treating one group more favourably where this is a proportionate way to help members of that group overcome a disadvantage or participate more fully, or in order to meet needs they have that are different from the population as a whole. This is called 'positive action'.