Research report · Updated 2026-09-15
This UK AI grant is open to individuals — through a research host.
Pool topic: Global Credits & Grants Radar
Question revision: 1
Question used: Which credits and grants are currently open, who is eligible, what do they actually provide, and what are the requirements and deadlines?
UKRI’s Transformative sustainable AI technologies opportunity is open until 10 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time. The useful distinction is not its maximum cost alone: the call welcomes individuals and research groups, but the project lead must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding.
Who can use this route
The opportunity is for speculative, high-risk research that could make future AI systems more sustainable. It says applicants must be based at an eligible UK research organisation and hold a role that meets UKRI’s individual eligibility rules. Research technical professionals may apply as a project lead or co-lead if eligible. An independent founder, a general individual applicant, or a company without that host should not treat this as an open personal-grant route.
The value has a cost basis
A project’s full economic cost may be up to GBP 602,500. UKRI says it will fund 80% of that cost, which is up to GBP 482,000 at the maximum. This is not an automatic award or unrestricted cash: the project must fit the call, pass review, and meet the host and applicant rules.
The clock and the work
UKRI must receive the application by 10 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time. Funded projects must start on 1 February 2027 and can run for up to 24 months. The call lists AI compute, IT infrastructure, algorithms, and data among the parts of the AI value chain it targets; it also says eligible costs can include research staff, compute, travel, data work, estates, and indirect costs.
Next move: verify the host before drafting
Ask the research office whether your organisation is eligible and whether your role can lead an application. Only then invest in a project case. The published GBP 602,500 cap is a ceiling on full economic cost, not a promise of funding or a shortcut around institutional eligibility.
What remains unknown
We have not assessed an individual reader’s UKRI eligibility, organisation eligibility, internal submission deadline, project competitiveness, or award outcome. This is one UK research route, not evidence of worldwide individual-grant coverage.