Opportunity status: Open
Funders: UK Research and Innovation, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Funding type: Grant
Total fund: £12,050,000
Maximum award: £602,500
Publication date: 11 August 2026
Opening date: 11 August 2026 9:00am UK time
Closing date: 20 October 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding for projects focused on speculative and high-risk fundamental research with the potential to deliver high reward and a step change in the explainability of future artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Applications are particularly welcomed from early and mid-career UK researchers.
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.
The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £602,500. UKRI will fund 80% of the FEC (£482,000).
Projects must start on 1 February 2027 and last for up to 24 months.