NOFO: UKRI Enabling AI Adoption Across Science and Engineering Program (United Kingdom)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is offering a grant funding opportunity for ambitious, exploratory projects that bring together artificial intelligence (AI) expertise and domain knowledge in priority areas of science and engineering. The total funding pool is £5,000,000, with maximum awards of up to £250,000. The application closing date is 1 December 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. This opportunity is delivered as part of the UKRI IS8 AI Programme. It is designed to support exploratory activity that tests how AI can be effectively and responsibly embedded in science and engineering research. UKRI highlights that many research communities are still early in understanding where AI capabilities can be applied within their disciplines, what new tools or collaborations may be needed, and what barriers could affect adoption. Funded projects are expected to generate evidence, capability, partnerships, or strategic direction that can support longer-term AI-enabled research and innovation.

UKRI states it will fund:

UKRI states it will not fund:

Additional grant conditions will be communicated once awards begin. Funding is also stated to be subject to Full Business Case approval. The source specifies a limitation for international researchers (in this opportunity, where EPSRC is a lead funder): UKRI states it will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects submitted to UKRI or any other funder. UKRI states it encourages applications from a diverse range of researchers and notes potential support during the application and assessment process, including: It also notes that disability and accessibility support may be available to UKRI applicants and grant holders. UKRI seeks ambitious, exploratory projects that test AI’s potential to transform research practices, accelerate discovery, and unlock new scientific capabilities.

Projects are expected to:

UKRI expects projects to bring together:

The non-AI expert must identify a clearly articulated research challenge or opportunity for which AI could provide a novel capability, solution, or significant advancement. Projects focusing primarily on advancing AI methods, models, or algorithms without a clear link to accelerating progress within a research domain are out of scope. Applications must address domain-specific research challenges within one of these priority areas: For engineering biology, UKRI particularly encourages applications in AI-enabled biotechnologies relevant to sustainable food systems, clean growth, health, and environmental solutions. Examples listed include: This funding opportunity targets a gap UKRI describes across the research system: many fields are not yet fully equipped to understand where AI capabilities can accelerate domain research and what collaborations or infrastructure might be needed for responsible adoption. By requiring an AI expert and a non-AI domain expert, the programme is set up to generate practical evidence—such as feasibility demonstrations, prototype workflows or tools, and research roadmaps—that can support future AI-enabled research beyond the award period. UKRI states it is running this opportunity on the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service and that: Official application page/link: The source text provided includes a “Start application” link, but the actual URL is not included in the supplied article text. Applicants should use the official UKRI opportunity page to access the Funding Service start link and guidance. The supplied article text cuts off during the “How to apply” section and does not include the full list of required documents or the complete submission checklist. Not specified in the source beyond the Funding Service registration and role responsibilities described above. Readers should consult the full guidance on the official UKRI opportunity page. 1) What is the UKRI opportunity “UKRI Enabling AI adoption across science and engineering”? It is a UKRI grant programme supporting ambitious exploratory projects that bring together AI expertise and domain research to embed AI responsibly in science and engineering.

2) How much funding is available, and what is the maximum award?

The total fund is £5,000,000, and the maximum award is up to £250,000 (FEC up to £250,000, with UKRI funding 80% of FEC).

3) Who can apply?

You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding, and UKRI individual eligibility rules apply (details are referenced to UKRI’s eligibility page).

4) Can international researchers be part of the project?

Yes, but international researchers can only apply as “project co-lead (international)” if the application uses the UKRI–RCN Money Follows Cooperation agreement or the UKRI–IIASA agreement. Other international collaborators should be included as project partners.

5) What is the deadline and time zone?

6) How long can the project last, and when must it start?

Projects can be up to 12 months in duration and must start by 26 April 2027 (fixed start date requirement stated).

7) What costs are not eligible?

The opportunity states it will not fund PhD studentship costs and it will not fund equipment over £25,000 per item (including VAT). Review the official UKRI Enabling AI adoption across science and engineering opportunity page on the UKRI Funding Service to confirm the latest submission requirements, any additional grant conditions, and any documents needed beyond what is included in the supplied text. Then plan your application around the programme’s central expectation: an AI expert + a non-AI domain expert working on a clearly defined domain research challenge in one of the stated priority areas.