Artificial intelligence humanities sandpits: Canada, UK and US invite only
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · International
Funding to support collaborative research projects that integrate humanities and arts methodologies into artificial intelligence design, following participation in an international sandpit workshop.
Summary
Deadline
28 May 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to support collaborative research projects that integrate humanities and arts methodologies into artificial intelligence design, following participation in an international sandpit workshop.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Artificial intelligence, humanities, arts, digital technologies, interdisciplinary research.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Researchers based at eligible UK, Canadian or US research organisations who attended the February 2026 Montreal sandpit and have been invited to apply. The project lead must be UK-based and submit the application through the UKRI Funding Service. Projects must develop prototypes, tools, frameworks or methodologies that enhance interpretive capabilities of AI systems and integrate humanities app...
Eligible applicants
Researchers based at eligible UK, Canadian or US research organisations who attended the February 2026 Montreal sandpit and have been invited to apply.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to £262,250 (maximum award)
Total fund available
£1,160,000
Funding intensity
UKRI funds 80% of Full Economic Cost for UK-based applicants.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects must develop prototypes, tools, frameworks or methodologies that enhance interpretive capabilities of AI systems and integrate humanities approaches into technical design.
Eligible expenses
- Staff costs, project delivery costs, collaboration costs, travel, and justified project resources in line with UKRI and SSHRC rules.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under AHRC sandpit funding terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Invite Only
Decision timeline
Assessment completed within approximately two months of submission.
Assessment process
Panel assessment by sandpit director and mentors, chaired by an independent academic.
Application sections
- Summary, Vision, Approach, Applicant and team capability (R4RI), Ethics and RRI, Resources and cost justification, Project partners, Data management, Trusted Research and Innovation, International collaboration.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not follow guidance, fail eligibility criteria, or lack strong interdisciplinary integration.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
Not specified
Project duration
18 months
Project start
30 Sept 2026
Project end
29 Feb 2028
Co-funders
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
Collaboration rules
- Projects must involve meaningful collaboration between humanities or arts researchers and technical AI researchers.
- Required collaboration across UK, Canada and/or US research teams.
Consortium requirements
- Teams should primarily consist of sandpit participants, with additional members included only where justified.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Interdisciplinary research combining humanities, arts and AI technologies."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Applicants must have attended the sandpit, demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration, and deliver outputs aligned with interpretive AI challenges."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"This is an invite-only opportunity. US participants are funded through UK or Canada budgets. Projects must contribute to an open ecosystem of tools and demonstrate real-world relevance and impact."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 28 May 2026
- Funding amount
- Up to £262,250 (maximum award)
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Artificial intelligence, humanities, arts, digital technologies, interdisciplinary research.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 15 Mar 2026