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