Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers rapid access route
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) · United Kingdom
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.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
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.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business
Business size
Micro, SME, Large
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
Needs verification
Requirements
Researchers working at UK registered micro, small or medium sized businesses with a Companies House registration number The project lead must be employed by the applying organisation with a contract longer than the proposed project duration Projects supporting early stage development of AI products including algorithm development, AI enabled workflows, simulations, data generation and AI driven...
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 (compute allocation, no cash funding).
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
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
- Costs not eligible under AIRR supercomputer access scheme terms (compute access not direct grant costs).
Application and risks
Application platform
AIRRPortal
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis with a maximum estimated time to resource access of around two weeks after submission
Assessment process
Applications are reviewed by the UKRI and DSIT delivery team through a light touch assessment to confirm eligibility, scope alignment and value of compute access for the project
Application sections
- Online application form 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
- Not specified
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development"},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must demonstrate that access to AIRR compute resources will add value to the proposed AI research or development activity"},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"This route is designed for rapid access to AI compute resources for SMEs conducting early stage AI product development and research activities."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Up to 20,000 GPU hours on the Isambard-AI or Dawn supercomputers
- Funding band
- Micro (<£50k)
- Funding type
- Other (Compute resource access)
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Business
- 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
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 17 Aug 2025