AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme – Research and Development Contracts

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is awarding up to 8 research and development contracts to design and develop high-quality AI tutoring tools for use in English schools. This is a subject-matter exemption procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, using an informal competitive flexible procedure. Background: While AI tutoring tools exist in the market, there is no established offering that meets a comprehensive high-quality standard. Current tools are limited in scope, quantity, and evidence base, with restricted access to their underlying research and development. Objective: Contractors will research, co-design, and develop innovative, effective, and safe AI tutoring tools to a high-quality standard. The programme aims to improve academic attainment across English schools, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, while enabling future scalability and commercialisation. Key Information: - Outputs are for public benefit; the tools themselves will be procured separately - The high-quality standards and insights co-designed during these contracts will be shared publicly via a dedicated Reading Room in the DfE Content Store - Individual contractors retain foreground intellectual property (IP) for prototype tools - Further updates will be published on https://ai.gov.uk/our-work/education/ in Summer 2026 - Access to the Reading Room details: https://aicontentstore.education.gov.uk/ Original tender notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039400-2026 Early market engagement notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015370-2026