google-deepmind-research-ready-programme-2026
Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme 2026

Deadline: March 27, 2026

Applications are open for the Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme 2026. The Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in AI and robotics through a paid summer internship at the University of York.

This programme is designed for undergraduate students and recent graduates from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and groups underrepresented within engineering. It provides an insight into research-focused careers in AI and robotics.

They are looking for five motivated students from across the UK to work on the development of an autonomous robot capable of sorting mixed waste materials. Successful applicants will be involved in the full lifecycle of the project, working closely with leading academics from RoboStar and the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe Artificial Intelligence (SAINTS).

Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

  • A generous paid stipend
  • Support with travel costs
  • Free on-campus accommodation for the duration of the internship (subject to distance from home address)

Eligibility

  • Open to UK (home) students only.
  • Open to students in the Department of Computer Science.
  • This programme is open to UK (home) students at the University of York and all universities across the UK.

Essential Criteria

You must meet all the following criteria:

  • Be a resident in the UK
  • Be paying, or have paid, UK (home) tuition fees.
  • Be able to prove that you have the right to live and work in the UK for the full duration of the programme.
  • Be in your penultimate or final year of an undergraduate degree, or have recently graduated
  • Be studying (or have studied) computer science or a closely related subject.
  • NOT be currently studying, or have completed a Masters or PhD programme.

Socio-economic Criteria

You must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Have been eligible for free school meals
  • Live in an area within the lowest quintile according to a postcode measure such as POLAR4 or IMD
  • Have received full non-repayable state support for maintenance during undergraduate study
  • Have received the maximum Maintenance Loan during undergraduate study
  • Have experience of local authority care
  • Have had caring responsibilities for three months or more, which
    • Either have occupied more than 10 hours per week,
    • Or have impacted on your education, health or wellbeing
  • Be a refugee

Academic Criteria

You must:

  • Be on track to achieve, or have achieved, at least 2:1 undergraduate degree.
  • Be able to demonstrate programming skills

Desirable skills

  • Be able to demonstrate a knowledge of AI

Application

Complete this application form by 27 March 2026 23:59 (GMT). It is recommended that you use a computer to complete the application form – not a phone or tablet – as you will need to upload several documents.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme.