Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR Supercomputers: Rapid Access Route
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) · United Kingdom
Funding opportunity providing rapid access to high performance AI computing resources on the Isambard-AI and Dawn supercomputers to support early-stage development of artificial intelligence products and technologies prior to market launch. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Funding opportunity providing rapid access to high performance AI computing resources on the Isambard-AI and Dawn supercomputers to support early-stage development of artificial intelligence products and technologies prior to market launch. (UK Research and Innovation)
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 must fund their own project costs associated with the research and development activities
Eligible applicants
Researchers working at UK registered micro, small or medium-sized businesses with a Companies House registration number
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to 20,000 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 supporting early-stage development of AI products including algorithm development, AI-enabled workflows, simulations, data generation and AI-driven research processes
Eligible expenses
- No grant funding is provided. The opportunity provides access to compute resources only
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
AIRRPortal
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis, with a maximum estimated time to resource access of two weeks after submission
Assessment process
Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis by the UKRI and DSIT delivery team through a light-touch assessment covering eligibility, AIRR scope alignment and the value of compute access to the project
Application sections
- Online application including project details, resource request information and project team membership, with supporting documentation
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they fail eligibility checks, fall outside the AIRR programme scope or do not follow application guidance
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 not designed for large research programmes
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-10.
International Collaboration Requirement
Not specified
Research Category
Feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development
Research Organisation Funding
Not applicable
Subcontractors
Not specified
Interview Stage
Not specified
Key Requirements
Projects must demonstrate that access to AIRR compute resources will add value to the proposed research or development activity
Important Notes
This route is designed for rapid access to AI compute resources for start-ups and SMEs conducting early-stage AI product development and research activities.
Application deadline in source document
Open with no closing date
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Up to 20,000 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