Grant opportunity
AIRR Compute Opportunity: AI Open Access
UKRI is offering open-access compute time on the Isambard-AI supercomputer for UK-based researchers and AI developers working in AI for Science priority areas, including materials science, nuclear fusion, medical research, engineering biology, quantum technologies and AI-driven scientific discovery.
- Funder
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
- Closes 17 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time
- Closes 17 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time: Jul 17, 2026
- Award
- 50,000 to 1,400,000 GPU hours on Isambard-AI; no cash funding provided
- Applicant
- UK-based researchers and AI developers in academia, industry, public sector, charities and other eligible organisations
- Discipline
- Data, AI and Digital Technology
- Region
- United Kingdom
- Posted
- Jun 5, 2026
Call summary
Overview
UKRI has opened an AI Research Resource opportunity that gives eligible UK applicants access to the Isambard-AI supercomputer. The call is designed for research and development projects that need substantial GPU capacity and align with AI for Science priority areas such as materials science, nuclear fusion, medical research, engineering biology, quantum technologies and AI-driven scientific discovery. Projects may request compute for six or twelve months; the opportunity provides compute resource rather than direct cash funding.
Who can apply
The opportunity is open to UK-based researchers and AI developers across the UKRI remit. Project leads must have an appropriate employment contract or substantial relationship with their organisation, and eligible organisations include UK registered businesses, UKRI-eligible research organisations, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Collaborative projects are welcomed, but applicants should confirm the detailed role and organisation requirements on the official UKRI page.
What it supports
- AI for Science
- High-performance compute
- United Kingdom
- Open-access compute resource
Funding and duration
- 50,000 to 1,400,000 GPU hours on Isambard-AI over a six or twelve-month project. No direct cash funding is provided.
Closes 17 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time
Closes 17 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time: Jul 17, 2026
How to apply
Use the official UKRI Funding Finder page to read the full guidance and start the application before 17 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.
Call details
This UKRI opportunity is for UK-based researchers and artificial intelligence developers from academia, industry, the public sector and other eligible organisations who need substantial compute capacity for AI for Science work. It offers access to the Isambard-AI supercomputer for projects aligned with priority areas such as materials science, nuclear fusion, medical research, engineering biology, quantum technologies and AI-driven scientific discovery. Each project can request between 50,000 and 1,400,000 GPU hours for use over a six or twelve-month project. The call provides compute resource rather than direct funding. Applicants should use the official UKRI page for the full eligibility rules, application form and deadline updates.
The opportunity is open to UK-based researchers and AI developers across the UKRI remit. Project leads must have an appropriate employment contract or substantial relationship with their organisation, and eligible organisations include UK registered businesses, UKRI-eligible research organisations, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Collaborative projects are welcomed, but applicants should confirm the detailed role and organisation requirements on the official UKRI page.
AI for Science
High-performance compute
United Kingdom
Open-access compute resource
50,000 to 1,400,000 GPU hours on Isambard-AI over a six or twelve-month project. No direct cash funding is provided.
Closes 17 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time: Closes 17 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time: Jul 17, 2026.
Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.
Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.
Use the official UKRI Funding Finder page to read the full guidance and start the application before 17 July 2026 at 4:00pm UK time.
Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.