Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR Supercomputers: Gateway Route
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) · United Kingdom
Opportunity providing access to high performance AI computing resources on the Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers to support artificial intelligence research and development projects, testing algorithms, benchmarking workflows and exploring new AI research applications.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Opportunity providing access to high performance AI computing resources on the Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers to support artificial intelligence research and development projects, testing algorithms, benchmarking workflows and exploring new AI research applications.
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Artificial intelligence research and development across sectors including advanced manufacturing, creative industries, life sciences, clean energy, defence, digital technologies, professional services and financial services
Match funding
Businesses undertaking feasibility studies or industrial research and experimental development must ensure the remaining project costs are funded by their organisation
Eligible applicants
UK-based researchers from academia, UK registered businesses, research organisations eligible for UKRI funding, charities and not-for-profit organisations
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to 10,000 GPU hours on the Isambard-AI or Dawn supercomputers
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
Not applicable
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Projects exploring AI research including algorithm development, benchmarking workflows, AI-assisted research processes, AI-enhanced simulations, data generation and AI-driven data processing
Eligible expenses
- No grant funding is provided. The opportunity provides access to compute resources only
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
AIRR Portal
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
GPU resources are allocated through fortnightly batching rounds with an estimated time to resource access of around one month after submission
Assessment process
Applications undergo a light-touch review by UKRI and the DSIT delivery team against criteria including alignment with AIRR scope, novelty of AI use and expected research outputs
Application sections
- Online form including project details, resource request information and project team membership, plus supporting documentation covering project details and assessment questions
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not follow application, eligibility requirements or do not align with AIRR programme scope
Timeline and partners
Opening date
Not specified
Project duration
GPU resources must be used within three months of project start
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Innovate UK, Medical Research Council (MRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative projects are allowed but the route is intended for large research consortia
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-10.
International Collaboration Requirement
Not specified
Research Category
Fundamental research, feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development
Research Organisation Funding
Academic organisations are not required to declare project costs
Subcontractors
Not specified
Interview Stage
Not specified
Key Requirements
Projects must clearly demonstrate innovative use of AI computing resources and explain how outcomes will benefit research or innovation activities
Important Notes
Successful projects may request a one-time additional allocation of up to 50% of the original GPU hours if more than 90% of the original allocation has been used and sufficient project time remains.
Application deadline in source document
Open with no closing date
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Up to 10,000 GPU hours on the Isambard-AI or Dawn supercomputers
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Other (Compute resource access)
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Artificial intelligence research and development across sectors including advanced manufacturing, creative industries, life sciences, clean energy, defence, digital technologies, professional services and financial services
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 18 Aug 2025