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ClosedUpdated 9 Jun 2026Research Innovation

Fundamental AI Research Lab

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) · United Kingdom

Strategic funding opportunity to establish a world-leading Fundamental AI Research Lab dedicated to advancing the UK’s position in fundamental artificial intelligence development. Funded by EPSRC. Includes an initial 18-month research grant and a six-year training grant, with potential extension subject to stage gate review.

Summary

Deadline

31 Mar 2026

Complexity

Medium

Time to apply

20-60 hours

Updated

9 Jun 2026

Strategic funding opportunity to establish a world-leading Fundamental AI Research Lab dedicated to advancing the UK’s position in fundamental artificial intelligence development. Funded by EPSRC. Includes an initial 18-month research grant and a six-year training grant, with potential extension subject to stage gate review.

Eligibility

Applicant types

Research

Business size

Research organisation

Industries

Academic institutions and eligible research organisations, consortia permitted

Match funding

Not required

Requirements

UK research organisations meeting EPSRC standard eligibility rules; must include organisation with degree-awarding powers; only one bid per lead institution UK research organisation leading consortium with track record of world-leading fundamental AI research per EPSRC opportunity. Novel fundamental AI development; must not duplicate areas of emphasis in industrial frontier AI labs

Eligible applicants

UK research organisations meeting EPSRC standard eligibility rules; must include organisation with degree-awarding powers; only one bid per lead institution

Funding and scope

Benefit amount

Up to £7.5 million FEC per consortium (80% funded); six-year training grant also awarded

Total fund available

£40,000,000

Funding intensity

Not specified

Payment type

Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)

Eligible scope

Novel fundamental AI development; must not duplicate areas of emphasis in industrial frontier AI labs

Eligible expenses

  • Research staff
  • travel
  • technical support
  • PRISM roles
  • training
  • facilities
  • consumables
  • equipment under £25,000

Ineligible costs

  • Equipment over £25,000 (including VAT)
  • transfer of funds between research and training grants

Application and risks

Application platform

UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S)

Competitiveness

Closed / Not accepting applications

Decision timeline

Not specified

Assessment process

Interview panel assessment (16–17 April 2026); stage gate review outcome expected by February 2027

Application sections

Not specified

Application components

  • Summary
  • Vision and Approach
  • Applicant & Team Capability (R4RI)
  • Resources & Cost Justification
  • Ethics & RRI
  • Training Environment
  • Doctoral Studentship Costings
  • Stakeholder Engagement

Required documents

Not specified

Appendices

Not specified

Assessment criteria

  • Vision and Approach
  • Applicant & Team Capability
  • Host Organisation Support
  • Training Environment
  • Co-creation & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Resources & Cost Justification
  • Ethics & RRI
  • Doctoral Students

Decision risks

Highly competitive; single award; non-submission of Intent to Apply disqualifies; non-compliance may lead to rejection; continuation funding dependent on stage gate review

Timeline and partners

Opening date

2 Mar 2026

Project duration

Not specified

Project start

30 Apr 2026

Project end

Not specified

Co-funders

Not specified

Collaboration rules

  • International researchers may apply only as Project Co-Lead (International) under specific UKRI agreements

Consortium requirements

  • Consortia only; must demonstrate world-leading fundamental AI research track record across partners.

Additional guidance

[{"label":"Initial Research Grant","value":"Up to £7.5 million Full Economic Cost (FEC); EPSRC funds 80% of FEC (up to £6 million)"},{"label":"Training Grant","value":"Up to £1.9 million FEC; EPSRC funds 100% of FEC; minimum 10 doctoral students"},{"label":"Future Funding (Subject to Stage Gate)","value":"Up to £32 million additional funding"},{"label":"In-Kind Support","value":"2 million GPU hours per year via AI Research Resource (AIRR), subject to scheduling prioritisation"},{"label":"Intent to Apply Deadline","value":"16 March 2026, 4:00pm UK time"},{"label":"Key Organisational Requirements","value":"Demonstrated world-leading AI expertise; defined AI strategy; established research environment; supportive training environment; ability to secure industrial leverage"},{"label":"Governance Requirements","value":"Independent advisory board; regular engagement with EPSRC and DSIT; monitoring and evaluation framework"},{"label":"Monitoring Requirements","value":"Six-monthly updates; annual reports; final report; Researchfish reporting; three-year and five-year reviews; studentship data reporting"},{"label":"Doctoral Studentships","value":"Minimum 10 students; 4-year duration; maximum 50% international students; studentships separate training grant"},{"label":"Industry Leverage Expectation","value":"Substantial collaboration and leverage (cash or in-kind) expected over lifetime of investment"},{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"80% FEC (research grant); 100% FEC (training grant); continuation funding subject to stage gate review"},{"label":"Renewal Structure","value":"Initial 18-month research grant; six-year training grant; additional five-year research grant subject to review"},{"label":"Environmental & EDI Requirements","value":"Mandatory EDI strategy including costed EDI lead; environmental sustainability considerations required; responsible innovation and trusted research principles must be embedded"}]

Quick facts

Status
Closed
Deadline
31 Mar 2026
Funding amount
Up to £7.5 million FEC per consortium (80% funded); six-year training grant also awarded
Funding band
Large (£5M+)
Funding type
Grant
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Audience
Research Innovation
Industry
Academic institutions and eligible research organisations, consortia permitted
Last updated
9 Jun 2026
Published
2 Mar 2026

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