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UK Research and Innovation

Transformative sustainable AI technologies

Funding for speculative, high-risk research on sustainable AI technologies.

OpenUK Research and InnovationUnited Kingdom

This opportunity funds speculative and high-risk research projects with the potential to deliver a step change in the sustainability of future AI systems. It focuses exclusively on novel AI technologies, computational approaches, methods, tools, architectures and techniques that could significantly improve the sustainability of future AI systems.

It is open to research groups and individuals base…

The opportunity focuses exclusively on the development of novel AI technologies, computational approaches, methods, tools, architectures and techniques that could significantly improve the sustainability of future AI systems. Applications must be technology-led and demonstrate a clear pathway to advancing the underlying AI value chain. It will not fund applications consisting of majority non-technical research such as purely social science, environmental, legal, policy or ethical studies, incremental work, continuation of existing projects, benchmarking against existing tools and techniques, or replication of what exists within industry.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.One-off
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.10 Nov 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.1–24 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.—
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.£12.1M

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Last verified: 27 Aug 2026Funder reference: ukri-post-201960Source: www.ukri.org