Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: November 11, 2026, 11:00am UK time (Application) | January 26, 2027 (Notification) | April 1, 2027 (Start by) | June 30, 2027 (Finish by)
Funding Amounts: Up to £3.1 million total; £150,000–£250,000 eligible project costs over 1–3 months; grants cover up to 70% for micro/small SMEs or 60% for medium SMEs
Summary: Supports UK SMEs validating novel frontier AI and machine learning technologies with a defensible route to commercial scale.
Key Information: Single applicants only, one application per SME, and no subcontractors.
Description
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, funds early technical validation of ambitious frontier artificial intelligence and machine learning innovations. Frontier AI means systems delivering state-of-the-art benchmark performance or genuinely new-to-the-world capabilities through advances in model or system architecture, training methodology, core learning algorithms or core control algorithms. Projects must have AI as their core technical contribution and main source of operational advantage.
Phase 1 supports feasibility studies and industrial research that test whether a core approach works, rather than produce a market-ready solution. Innovations must begin at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1–3, address a significant technical uncertainty, and offer a credible market opportunity and defensibility. Technologies must be capable in principle of scaling rapidly, but scalability need not be proven during Phase 1.
