The lab will be dedicated to advancing the UK’s position in fundamental AI development.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has launched an opportunity to support the formation of a strategic research lab dedicated to novel AI research that advances the UK’s position in fundamental AI development. The investment will support research with the potential to shape the trajectory of AI model development targeting areas not currently pursued by commercial AI labs due to its early stage or high-risk nature.

The opportunity aims to address the fact that major advancements are needed to overcome the structural limitations of current AI systems, moving beyond scaling models and facilitated by innovative research regarding their design. There is therefore a significant opportunity for the UK to establish leadership within the field by developing the theoretical foundations of AI and overcoming methodological barriers.

The lab must build on UK strengths, focusing on areas of UK opportunity, which do not duplicate areas of emphasis in industrial frontier AI labs. Research priorities will not be established for the lab beyond the need to focus on novel fundamental AI development due to the breadth of potential research and the importance of investing in approaches that can address both current and future needs of AI technologies.

This initial funding opportunity will award two grants. These are:

• An 18-month research grant at up to £7.5 million FEC (EPSRC will fund 80% of the FEC, which is up to £6 million) along with 3M GPU hours via the AIRR.
• A six-year training grant to support a minimum of 10 students at up to £1.9 million FEC (EPSRC will fund 100% of the FEC).

Subject to the stage gate review the successful awardee will receive up to £32 million extending the investment to a six-year programme.

The opportunity is open to consortia that can demonstrate a track record of world-leading fundamental AI research and include an organisation with degree awarding powers. Research organisations must meet standard UKRI eligibility criteria and EPSRC eligibility requirements. Lead organisations may only submit a single bid as lead institution.

Grants will start on 1 May 2026.