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Funder · Federal agency

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Supports DSIT, the United Kingdom ministry responsible for national science, technology, and innovation policy.

United Kingdomwww.gov.uk
Key stats
Annual funding—
Programs7
Active grants1
Total grants6
About

DSIT is the UK government department responsible for science, innovation, and technology policy. It sets strategy, allocates budgets, and funds R&D missions across AI, life sciences, semiconductors, connectivity, quantum, and digital inclusion. Most operational grant delivery runs through Innovate UK, UKRI, or DSIT-hosted bodies such as OLS, GOTT, and RIO — DSIT-direct intake portals exist only for flagship programmes (Sovereign AI Fund, LSIMF, CKAF, RPF, DIIF).

DSIT sponsors UKRI (covering 7 research councils, Innovate UK, and Research England) and ARIA as separate arms-length bodies — those funders have their own catalog entries. Within DSIT, the Sovereign AI Unit manages the £500M Sovereign AI Fund; the Office for Life Sciences (joint with DHSC) manages LSIMF; GOTT manages the CKAF knowledge-assets programme; and the Regulatory Innovation Office manages the Regulators' Pioneer Fund. Notable headline investments include £500M for sovereign AI, £520M for life-sciences manufacturing, £2B for quantum over ten years, and £644M for engineering biology to 2030.

Programs & grants under this funder
Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund

Offers full-cost grants for United Kingdom public-sector research organisations to move knowledge assets toward practical outcomes.

1 grant
Commercialising Knowledge Assets Fund
Open
£1.4M pool·58 days
Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund

Provides grants for English local authorities and charities to test digital inclusion approaches for communities with low digital access.

1 grant
Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund
Opens 2026
£7.3M pool
DSIT Fellowship

Supports the secondment of science and technology experts into United Kingdom policy teams for part-time public service impact.

1 grant
DSIT Fellowship — Cohort 4
Opens 2027
— pool
Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund

Provides capital support for the United Kingdom life-science manufacturing capability through public programmes for medicines, diagnostics, and medical devices.

1 grant
LSIMF Round 7
Opens Aug'26
£520M pool
Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme

Supports health systems in the United Kingdom to pilot coordinated obesity care pathways through integrated prevention and treatment services.

Regulators' Pioneer Fund

Supports regulatory agencies and public bodies in piloting new approaches to regulation that accelerate responsible technology deployment in the United Kingdom.

1 grant
Regulators' Pioneer Fund — Round 4
Opens 2026
£5.5M pool
UK Sovereign AI Fund — Strategic Assets Programme

Funds shared artificial intelligence assets in the United Kingdom, including dataset and lab infrastructure for national capabilities.

1 grant
Sovereign AI Strategic Assets Programme — Initial
Paused
£9M pool
Last verified: 31 May 2026Source: www.gov.uk