Key Details
| Funding type | Student Internship |
| Max award | 8-week Internship funded at the UK Real Living Wage |
| Opening date | 5th February 2026 |
| Closing date | 27th March 2026 |
| Outcomes | 1st May 2026 |
| Internship dates | Up to 8 weeks between 29th June 2026 and 25th September 2026 |
Overview
The AIchemy AI in Chemistry Education Student Internship call will enable undergraduate students to undertake an internship within a chemistry department based within the UK. This will be a fantastic opportunity for any student to gain experience in developing new teaching materials, develop new skills, and learn about the application of AI to chemistry education.
Prospective students are invited to apply for a paid internship during the summer of 2026, of up to 8 weeks duration.
Academics (including PDRAs) are invited to apply for funding to support an 8-week paid internship during the summer of 2026. PDRAs are eligible to lead an application for funding but must have the agreed support of their line manager/PI before applying. Students are also encouraged to apply directly but must have an agreed academic supervisor to support the project prior to applying.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this call students must currently be registered at a UK academic institution, studying a relevant undergraduate degree. Students currently in their first year of study are not eligible for this call. Students must also meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a UK national; or
- Have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS); or
Hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, with the right to study and work; or - Hold a current UK student visa.
Project supervisors must be employed at one of EPSRC’s recognised eligible organisations and must be resident in the UK. AIchemy will follow EPSRC standard eligibility criteria for organisations. Before applying for funding, please check the Organisation Eligibility.
Applications can be led by a student or academic/teaching fellow. Student led applications must have an agreed supervisor and project plan. Applications led by academics or teaching fellows can identify the student after their application has been approved, but students must be identified with 8 weeks of approval.
Funding available
AIchemy expects to fund 3-4 interns in this funding round, paid at the national living wage costed at 35 hour working week, with London weighting applied where applicable. Funds will cover student’s living expenses for up to 8 weeks. Payments will be made directly to the student from their host institution.
Internships must take place between 29th June 2026 and 25th September 2026, with exact dates being mutually agreed between the student and supervisor.
What we are looking for
Internship projects should focus on the application of AI to chemistry teaching practice, through demonstrating the development or evaluation of new ways to include AI in chemistry education. Projects should also be relevant to the wider AIchemy mission of transforming the chemistry-AI interface and not just cover the application of AI to education in general.
How to Apply
Applications should be completed using the standard application form available below and should be emailed to funding@aichemy.ac.uk. This call will be open until Friday 27th March 2026 with outcomes disseminated by 1st May 2026.
The application consists of the following:
- Team details
- Student CV (max 2 pages) and Statement (if known when applying)
- Project outline, including benefits to chemistry teaching practice, the skills the student will learn and alignment with the wider hub mission (max 1 page – to be completed by the project supervisor)
AIchemy acknowledges there are equality, diversity and inclusion challenges within STEM subjects. We are therefore encouraging applications for these internships from those who are from underrepresented groups within the chemistry sector.
Personal data
AIchemy will be required to collect personal information to manage application selection and for reporting to our external funders, EPSRC. Details of what information we collect about you and how it is used can be found on our website (see here).
How we will assess your application
The reviewers for this call will be from the AIchemy AI in Chemistry Education Steering Committee. All reviewers will be required to declare any conflicts of interest upfront and will only be assigned to review applications that can be judged impartially. Diversity of students may be taken into account if review scores are equal.
Applications will be judged on the following criteria:
- Quality and fit of the proposed project – a defined research project that aims to advance the use of AI in chemistry teaching practice and aligns with the wider vision of the Hub to transform the AI-chemistry landscape.
- Potential for project impact – both in relation to changes in teaching practice and the benefits to the student themselves.
Reporting structure
At the end of the project, each student must submit a short report on their research project. This report will cover: 1) aims of the project, 2) outcomes of the project, 3) what the student has learnt through undertaking the project. Students will be sent a report template towards the end of their project.
Students will also be asked to fill out a non-mandatory EDI monitoring form as part of our monitoring and reporting of activities to our funder, EPSRC.
Contact details
For questions related to this funding opportunity please contact the AIchemy project management team at funding@aichemy.ac.uk
