Next generation artificial intelligence (AI): explainable AI (Grant)
UK Research and Innovation, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Award
Up to £602.5k
Total fund Up to £12.05m
Deadline
Closes 20 October 2026
Where
UK-wide
Summary
Apply for funding for projects focused on speculative and high-risk fundamental research with the potential to deliver high reward and a step change in the explainability of future AI systems. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation funding.
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible . Funding for this opportunity is subject to full business case approval. Who is eligible to apply To apply you must meet the standard eligibility requirements for UKRI . Applications are particularly welcome from early and mid-career researchers. The inclusion of researcher co-leads is encouraged where they have made a substantial intellectual contribution to the development of the application and will be engaged with the ensuing research. Given the short-term nature of the grant and fixed start date, the project lead (PL) may choose to contribute a greater proportion of their time to the project than is standard. This should be justified and proportional to the activities set out in the proposal. In line with our equality, diversity and inclusion principles, joint leadership of projects will be allowed. Applicants must agree an administrative lead from an eligible UK research organisation to be the project lead on the application form, and their institution will be responsible for submitting the grant application. You may be involved in no more than two applications submitted to this funding opportunity. Only one of these can be as project lead. International researchers International researchers can only apply as ‘project co-lead (international)’ as part of an applications making use of the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation agreement or the UKRI-IIASA agreement. You should include all other international collaborators (or UK partners not based at approved organisations) as project partners. Resubmissions We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI or any other funder. Find out more about EPSRC’s resubmissions policy . Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers and organisations. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes: career breaks support for people with caring responsibilities flexible working alternative working patterns UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.
Full details
Apply for funding for projects focused on speculative and high-risk fundamental research with the potential to deliver high reward and a step change in the explainability of future artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Applications are particularly welcomed from early and mid-career UK researchers. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding. The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £602,500. UKRI will fund 80% of the FEC (£482,000). Projects must start on 1 February 2027 and last for up to 24 months.