Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme
Work with intelligent robots in a paid summer internship at the University of York.
Applications for 2025/26 are open until Friday 27 March 2026, 11.59pm GMT
About the programme
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 robotics and AI.
The scheme is a partnership between the Royal Academy of Engineering, Google DeepMind and The HG Foundation.
Who is this opportunity for?
This internship programme is jointly created by two world-leading research centres here at York:
- RoboStar, a centre of excellence for software engineering for robotics
- UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe Artificial Intelligence (SAINTS), the UK’s first multidisciplinary PhD programme focused solely on the safety of artificial intelligence
We are looking for five motivated students from across the UK to work on real-world research alongside our world-class team. 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)
The programme takes place between Monday 22 June and Friday 14 August 2026.
What will you be doing?
Working in a small research group, you will work on the development of an autonomous robot capable of sorting mixed waste materials without a pre-existing map of its environment. Robots of this kind have potential applications in:
- Nuclear decommissioning
- Construction sites
- Recycling and waste management facilities
Working closely with leading academics in intelligent robotics and safe AI, you will be involved in the full lifecycle of the project where you will:
- Develop and document the robot’s design
- Explore and implement the AI-enabled software
- Test the system using simulation and real robotic platforms
- Contribute to a structured safety case for the robot
Where will you be based?
You’ll be based in the Department of Computer Science on Campus East. During your internship, we’ll provide you with accommodation on either Campus East or Campus West. There is a 15-minute walk or a short bus ride between the two campuses.
Find out more:
Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme contact details
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
How we'll support you
You’ll receive training in the tools and techniques used throughout the engineering and research lifecycle, supported by tutorials and hands-on practical sessions. This support will help you build skills in:
- Problem definition and elicitation
- Research execution
- Evaluation and documentation
You’ll become part of a diverse, international academic community, and will be supported throughout by our team. You’ll work closely with fellow interns, PhD researchers and staff to develop skills that will support both academic progression and future careers.
During your second week, you’ll attend the RoboStar Summer School, which brings together researchers and industry leaders in autonomous robotics from across the UK and beyond.
How to apply
Application deadline: Friday 27 March 2026, 11.59pm GMT
Before applying, please ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.
To apply, complete the application form. It is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted before the deadline. Incomplete, ineligible or late applications will not be considered.
- Notification of offers: Week of 17 April 2026.