Transformative sustainable AI technologies (Grant)
UK Research and Innovation
Award
Up to £602.5k
Total fund Up to £12.05m
Deadline
Closes 10 November 2026
Where
UK-wide
Summary
Apply for funding for projects focused on speculative and high-risk research with the potential to deliver a step change in the sustainability 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 . UKRI individual eligibility rules apply. For full details, visit UKRI’s eligibility page . Who is eligible to apply This funding opportunity is open to research groups and individuals. For this funding opportunity we welcome applications led by research technical professionals (RTPs), including research software engineers, involved in the delivery of digital research infrastructure who meet the eligibility criteria. Digital RTPs may apply as either project lead or project co-lead. 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. 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 application 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. 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 research with the potential to deliver high rewards and a step change in the sustainability of future AI systems. Projects should consider technological innovations across the AI stack. You must be: based at a UK research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding in a role that meets the individual eligibility requirements The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £602,500. UKRI will fund 80% of the FEC. Projects must start on 1 February 2027 and last for up to 24 months.