Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers: Rapid Access route
UK Research and Innovation offers rapid access to Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers for UK SMEs to accelerate early-stage AI research and development.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: Rolling (Open – no closing date)
Funding Amounts: Up to 20,000 GPU hours per project (no direct funding; compute resource only, to be used within 3 months of project start)
Summary: Provides rapid access to advanced UK AI supercomputers for small UK businesses to accelerate early-stage AI product development and research.
Key Information: Only UK-registered micro, small, or medium businesses with a Companies House number are eligible.
Description
This opportunity offers UK-registered micro, small, and medium-sized businesses rapid access to advanced GPU computing resources—specifically, up to 20,000 GPU hours on the Isambard-AI or Dawn AIRR supercomputers. The initiative is designed to accelerate early-stage artificial intelligence (AI) product development, supporting feasibility studies, industrial research, and experimental development. There is no direct monetary funding; the award consists solely of compute resources, which must be used within three months of the project start. The program aims to help UK SMEs respond quickly to R&D opportunities and contribute to national priorities such as economic growth, healthcare innovation, public safety, equal opportunity, and clean energy.
