Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR)

Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR)

Offers Plexal led Laboratory for AI Security Research, linking organisations with universities and intelligence bodies to strengthen resilience.

The Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) is a UK government-funded public-private partnership launched in November 2024, dedicated to advancing AI security for national security and economic prosperity. It is delivered by Plexal, the London-based innovation company, in collaboration with Oxford University, The Alan Turing Institute, Queen's University Belfast, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and UK intelligence agencies. LASR's stated mission is to mitigate risks to and from AI, build national resilience in AI skills, and position the United Kingdom as a global leader in AI security and governance.

Organizations engage with LASR through three pathways: applying to specific AI security programs that allow innovators to develop and test solutions in real-world operational environments; participating in roundtables, workshops, and public events organized through LASR's networks; and contributing AI and machine learning challenges or real-world AI vulnerability examples to shape research priorities. No grant amounts or direct funding figures were published on Plexal's LASR landing page as of May 2026. Live application deadlines and open calls are administered through the dedicated site lasr.ac.uk. Eligible participants include for-profit companies, nonprofits, universities, and research organizations based in the United Kingdom.

LASR sits within Plexal's broader national security innovation portfolio, alongside programs such as HMGCC Accelerate and the Cyber Runway scale-up initiative. Organizations with capabilities in AI security, machine learning security research, or applied cybersecurity for government and intelligence contexts are the primary audience. Entry points vary by program cycle; organizations should monitor lasr.ac.uk for active calls rather than the Plexal landing page.