Aim
This opportunity aims to support the delivery of the UK Government AI Opportunities Action Plan (AIOP) by investing in up to 12 Turing AI Pioneer Interdisciplinary Fellowships. Researchers without a background in core AI research will develop domain relevant AI capability, using it to advance progress against a challenge-driven research problem in their home domain. This opportunity will form part of a suite of investments supporting the government’s AIOP ambitions.
Funding for this opportunity is subject to final budget approval.
It is expected that successful fellows focus primarily on their research and, on average, a minimum of 50% full time equivalent (FTE) commitment is expected over the lifetime of the award.
Funding opportunity objectives
The objectives of this opportunity are:
- to enable leading researchers from a diverse range of backgrounds outside of core AI research to build domain relevant AI capability and knowledge, and tackle a specific research challenge
- to drive transformative change and accelerate the adoption and utilisation of AI across multiple domains, the research base and wider economy, though community leadership
- to enable engagement and collaboration within or between academic and non-academic partners to deliver AI-enabled challenge-driven research
- to support the career development of leading researchers, contributing to a diverse research community with increased AI skills and knowledge
Scope
This opportunity is aimed at established researchers without a background in core AI research but a vision for how the use of advanced AI techniques could enable potentially transformative new avenues in their research and that of their broader community.
This opportunity is targeted at applicants who will benefit from the flexibility and time the fellowship will provide to enable them to build domain relevant AI skills and capability.
Alongside the development of the fellow’s own AI skills and capability, research leadership skills, and future career direction, the fellowship should also deliver high-quality domain-specific research that embeds AI approaches.
Fellows will be expected to undertake professional development and upskilling activities in technical AI and demonstrate how their enhanced AI capability will be applied to drive transformative change within their discipline. While fellows are not expected to be leading AI experts by the end of the fellowship, they should be equipped to lead a team that can effectively apply interdisciplinary AI techniques to deliver world-class AI-enabled research outcomes.
Applicants should be established in their field, with a demonstrated ability to lead a research-focused group and drive research directions and the capability to drive broader adoption of AI approaches across their domain. This could be demonstrated by, but not limited to, receipt of significant funding or leading significant research programmes or workstreams or managing your own independent group in or outside academia. In any case, applicants should demonstrate why they consider it appropriate to describe themselves as established in their domain.
Alternative evidence of research leadership is welcome particularly for those with primarily industry-based experience. Applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of how to lead a research project, including articulating relevant transferable skills such as strategic planning, team coordination, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of complex, research challenge-driven work.
Fellowship expectations
Fellows will be expected to:
- develop a high-quality programme of ambitious, novel and creative research challenge-driven activities, where the integration of AI enables potentially transformative new approaches to tackling a specific research challenge in their domain
- demonstrate the appropriateness and timeliness of the Turing AI Pioneer Interdisciplinary Fellowships to support their professional development and research ambitions
- co-create and collaboratively deliver the programme with academic and non-academic partners or stakeholders to ensure their research will benefit the wider society and economy
- demonstrate a clear vision of how AI will be embedded in their research within and beyond the fellowship, providing confidence that they have the right expertise and structures in place to deliver on this vision. For example, through their mentor(s), AI collaborator and appropriate access to compute and data
- collaborate with an established AI specialist or researcher who will support the fellow’s development and collaborate on the planned research throughout the life of the fellowship
- take ownership of their learning journey, both in terms of developing technical AI skills and other softer skills. For example, leadership, collaboration, entrepreneurship, mentorship, communication), identifying and pursuing potential training opportunities which will enhance and accelerate their learning
- develop the skills and careers of their research team, mentoring and developing the independent researchers and innovators of the future
- enhance their position of leadership in the national and international research community, championing broader inclusive AI use across their research community
- be an active part of the Turing AI fellows’ cohort as detailed in the following section
- embed the principles of responsible AI and responsible research and innovation (RRI) throughout their activities.
- embed considerations of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in their fellowship
- have a vision for their future research and how the fellowship will support it beyond the length of the funding
This funding opportunity is expected to be highly competitive and as such applicants are encouraged to ensure they demonstrate their ability to meet these expectations.
At the outline stage, applicants are expected to have an ambitious vision for their research which details the potential for impact in and beyond their domain as well as the transformative potential of embedding AI within the approach. It is expected that applicants will further develop this vision and the approach to delivering it with input from their AI collaborator if invited to submit a full stage application. Further detail in Collaboration with an AI expert section. Flexibility should be built into the programme to adapt the planned approach to delivering the proposed outcomes, if appropriate, as the fellow’s AI skills and understanding grow.
Research focus
Applicants are expected to frame their proposals around clearly defined, domain-specific research challenges, working closely with stakeholders across and beyond academia to develop a research programme with the potential for impactful outcomes through AI embedded approaches.
The fellows proposed programme of research is expected to:
- demonstrate how AI can accelerate progress or unlock new capabilities in the applicant’s domain which wouldn’t be possible otherwise
- tackle problems that are recognised as urgent or high value by relevant academic or non-academic communities
- deliver solutions that could lead to new tools, services, or processes with significant impact
We recognise that AI will have a transformational impact in many domains, both on the way research is done and the pace of progress. We welcome applicants from all research domains across the breadth of UKRI’s remit.
UKRI particularly welcome proposals which support government missions, such as the Industrial Strategy, or are addressing domain specific research challenges in the following areas, where significant opportunities to accelerate progress through embedding AI exist:
- engineering biology
- frontier physics
- materials science
- medical research
- quantum technology
This is not an exclusionary list and proposals from other areas across UKRI remit including non-STEM disciplines are also welcome.
Applicants are encouraged to frame their proposals in terms of:
- the potential for AI to solve the identified challenge
- the potential for AI to have an outsized impact and deliver impact on the domain in the near term
- how the area builds on existing UK research strengths
- how advancements in these areas will drive progress across government missions and Industrial Strategy sectors
See more information about UKRI’s portfolio and strategies.
Collaboration with an AI expert
Applicants should collaborate with an established AI specialist or researcher. The collaborator will support the fellow’s development and collaborate on the planned research throughout the life of the fellowship. Research organisations should support potential applicants in identifying suitable collaborators. Applicants are encouraged to explore the existing landscape of UKRI relevant AI research as detailed in the Additional information section to help identify potential collaborators.
Applicants are expected to have identified a collaborator at the outline application stage and worked with them to ensure the proposed vision is realistic in the AI landscape. If invited to submit a full application, the applicant is expected to co-create the planned programme with the AI collaborator.
The level of guidance or support needed may vary by fellow experience and will need to be fully justified and subject to expert review. The support should be sufficient to enable the delivery of the ambitious AI embedded research programme and support the development of the fellows AI skills and understanding.
Collaborators should not have a leadership role in the programme and would not be expected to have significant time costed to the grant. Their role may evolve as the fellowship progresses, and the fellow’s AI skills and knowledge grow. However, the fellow and AI expert should build a mutually beneficial two-way relationship.
If UK-based, the AI collaborator should be included as project co-lead on the application. If based outside the UK, the AI collaborator should be included as a project partner on the application. Please note that project partners cannot receive funding from the grant except in specific circumstances. See Project partners letter of support for further information. The project co-lead would not be permitted to take over the operation of the fellowship if the fellow leaves the project.
End user partnerships and cross-sector collaborations
Fellows should build strong relationships and cross-sector collaborations with potential end users of their research to drive their research direction. This includes industry, policy makers, public bodies, charities and other groups.
It is expected that fellows will continue to engage stakeholders throughout the duration of the fellowship, for example by setting up an external advisory board to provide guidance and support, ensuring that the research is aligned with real-world needs and applications. Clear plans for engaging with new and existing collaborators over the duration of the fellowship should be detailed in the application on the UKRI Funding Service.
Mentorship
Fellows should have access to one or more mentors from their host organisation who can support the fellow’s personal development, for example in leadership skills, team coordination, and project management.
Cohort engagement
Successful applicants will be expected to be an active part of the AI Turing fellows’ cohort including those funded through this opportunity as well as previous and any future Turing AI fellowship opportunities. The cohort will maximise networks between different disciplines and institutions, enhance individual growth, create an environment for sharing research and learning, foster idea generation and most importantly influence and drive AI adoption across disciplines.
Funding will be awarded on the condition that fellows actively engage with the cohort and in particular any activities or events like coffee mornings, annual events, showcase events and so on organised by the cohort management team. Further details will be provided to applicants invited to submit a full proposal.
Upon completion of the fellowship, ‘graduate’ fellows will become part of an alumni of the programme, supporting the advocacy of AI adoption in non-AI domains and engage through UKRI’s wider cohort structure.
Research outcomes and impacts
Fellows are encouraged to think about potential outcomes and impacts of their proposed programmes of work. This could include, but is not limited to, commercialisation, policy-impact, impact on other research domains, or supporting the work of public bodies such as the NHS. Fellows should consider how they may take advantage of UKRI’s broad support mechanisms, such as Innovate UK’s ICURe programme, UKRI’s policy fellowship scheme, and other council-specific impact activities.
Fellows may have the opportunity to commercialise or expand the development of their research outcomes for potential commercialisation. As your programme matures, you will be linked with ICURe to assess the commercialisation and impact creation potential (subject to funding). ICURe provide access to training and development for equipping researchers with essential commercialisation skills and receiving an early indication of whether their research project is best suited for a spin-out or licence agreement.
Monitoring and evaluation
Fellows will be required to provide key monitoring information as part of the award, including standard Researchfish reporting, annual project reporting focusing on progress and impact, and financial reporting. Additional information may be required from fellows during the award lifetime, for example, as part of a mid-term review or final evaluation. Further information on monitoring and evaluation expectations will be provided in the full funding opportunity documentation. UKRI reserve the right to request additional information as deemed necessary for monitoring purposes.
Time commitment
If you work part time, you can hold your Turing AI pioneer interdisciplinary fellowship part time as well, at a minimal level of 50% full time equivalent. In these circumstances, the duration of your fellowship can be extended proportionally to a maximum duration of six years.
If you do not work part time, you may hold our fellowship for between 50% and 100% of your time. However, the total fellowship duration will be fixed at three years. This must be clearly justified in your application as the fellowship should be the fellow’s main research focus.
Whether part-time or full-time, fellows may start their award with less than 50% FTE but should ramp up their commitment to a minimum of 50% FTE within six months of the award start date.
Fellows should design an appropriate variable time commitment over the duration of the award to deliver their research vision. Additionally, fellows should plan their work packages to accommodate for any potential delays in recruiting post-doctoral researchers where necessary.
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
EDI enriches diversity of thought, builds stronger perspectives and performance within organisations and communities, and fosters more innovative and creative approaches. This is particularly pertinent in AI, as AI algorithms impact people’s lives and therefore risk exacerbating existing inequalities in society. By having a diverse AI community and workforce, the design and development of algorithms will be less likely to reflect the inherent biases of a majority group. Furthermore, investing in a diverse array of fellows of different genders, ethnicities, backgrounds and career paths will enable greater diversity of thought and approach in AI that is key to the development of creative new AI technologies and a sustainable UK AI ecosystem.
The long-term strength of the UK research base depends on harnessing all the available talent. UKRI expects that EDI is embedded at all levels and in all aspects of research practice and funding policy. We are committed to supporting the research community, offering a range of flexible options which allow applicants to design a package that fits their research goals, career and personal circumstances. This includes career breaks, support for people with caring responsibilities, flexible working and alternative working patterns.
Expert review is central to UKRI funding decisions. We require expert advice and robust decision-making processes for all UKRI funding initiatives. We are committed to ensuring that fairness is fully reflected in all our funding processes by advancing policy which supports equality, diversity and inclusion. For further information, please see our EDI webpages.
For more information on the background of this funding opportunity, go to the Additional information section.
Duration
The duration of this award is 36 months.
Projects must start on 1 October 2026.
Funding available
The FEC of your project can be up to £2,187,500.
UKRI will fund 80% of the FEC.
The fellow is expected to request a tailored package of resources, designed in partnership with their host organisation and partners, to enable them to achieve the objectives of their research agenda. The fellowship will provide salary support.
Applicants should include their UK-based AI expert collaborator, if they have one, as project co-lead in the application. No other project co-leads will be permitted.
If based outside the UK, the AI collaborator should be included as a project partner on the application. Please note that project partners cannot receive funding from the grant unless in specific circumstances. See further information on Project partners letter of support.
Support for studentships through this investment will not be permitted, in line with other UKRI research grants. Student engagement should be realised through host organisation or stakeholder support, or collaboration with other training investments in the UK landscape such as the UKRI AI centres for doctoral training.
It is expected that resources will be used flexibly (in line with the UKRI grant terms and conditions) to deliver the vision and desired outcomes of the programme.
The fellowship must start on 1 October 2026, and no extensions will be given for delays in the appointment of staff. Therefore, when preparing the application, recruitment time should be taken into consideration. That is, if it is estimated that it will take six months to recruit a research and innovation associate (RIA)(was PDRA), then only 30 months of RIA time should be requested. Only if there is a RIA or staff member ready to start at the beginning of the fellowship, should you apply for the full three years (36 months) of time.
Please note: due to the nature of this funding, grant extensions will only be considered under exceptional circumstances, in line with the Equality Act 2010, and will require UKRI agreement on a case-by-case basis. The research organisation remains responsible for compliance with the terms of the Equality Act 2010, including any subsequent amendments introduced while work is in progress, and for ensuring that the expectations set out in the UKRI statement of expectations for equality and diversity are met.
See further information on allowable costs.
Compute, data and equipment
Access to compute is a key enabling factor for the fellowships. Fellows are expected to build plans for access to compute into their programme and allocate funding as appropriate. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and UKRI will work together to explore options for fellows to receive priority access to AI research resource (AIRR) following the completion of the testing phase and full agreement on the allocation scheme once the test phase is concluded.
Fellows will also need to obtain access to datasets independently. Project planning should outline how access to data and permissions to utilise data for AI analysis and training will be secured, where necessary.
Equipment, between £25,000 to £400,000 per item, is allowed on the opportunity. Note that access to compute should primarily be through the AIRRs and existing infrastructure. We reserve the right to remove equipment where unaffordable.
Quotes for equipment do not need to be included in your application, but please retain quotes for equipment costing more than £138,000 as we may ask for these at post-panel stage before releasing funds. See details of how to include equipment in your application.
Smaller items of equipment, individually under £25,000, and consumables should be in the ‘Directly Incurred – Other Costs’ heading.
See more information about EPSRC’s approach to equipment funding.
Guidance for research organisations
Candidate selection at outline stage
This opportunity is aimed at investing in established researchers without a background in core AI research, but with a vision for how the use of advanced AI techniques that could enable potentially transformative new avenues in their research and that of their broader community.
The research organisation is permitted to submit a maximum of four outline applications to this funding opportunity as lead organisation, that is the organisation submitting the application through the Funding Service. This reflects the level of investment available and manages the impact on the community in assessing the large volume of proposals anticipated. The research organisation should have a process in place to ensure that no more than four applications are submitted.
Research organisations are asked to actively use an inclusive approach to selecting and maximising the diversity of the candidates they intend to support. UKRI expects that host organisations consider diversity broadly to include backgrounds, career paths, thought and approach as well as protected characteristics. See UKRI’s recently published summary report on feedback about good practices for inclusive university selection processes.
Host organisations are asked to provide a statement describing the inclusive process they have used to select their chosen candidates by completing the Microsoft forms before the submission of any outline proposals to Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The information submitted will be used to increase understanding of inclusive selection processes used by host organisations, inform future UKRI interventions, and feed into thinking on EDI in AI. It will not be part of the outline assessment of individual candidates.
The statement should describe the process used to identify potential candidates. It should not include personal details of potential candidates nor any details that may enable them to be identified.
Outline proposals submitted by host organisations that have not reported on this process will be office rejected and will not go forward to the outline sift panel stage.
The Research organisation statement form must be submitted by the host organisation by 4.00pm UK time 14 October 2025. Only one submission per research organisation is required regardless of the number of outline proposals they intend to submit. This should only be submitted by the research organisation and not the applicants. Applicants should ensure that their research organisation has submitted this statement prior to submitting their application.
As guidance, it is suggested that research organisations consider the following points in designing and describing their inclusive selection process:
- the processes used to identify potential and final candidates
- how these processes may enable diversity and inclusion in the selection of potential and final candidates
- the steps taken to mitigate unconscious bias in the selection process
- the alignment of the approach taken with the research organisations equality diversity and inclusion policies
- support for and consideration of flexible working including part-time working, career breaks and caring responsibilities
- the inclusion of candidates with different career paths
Support for fellows
The host organisation is expected to provide appropriate support to fellows in order to enable them to build their profile, research activity and career. The host organisation should actively enable flexible fellowship pathways including secondments and collaboration building with cross-sector stakeholders and invest in developing the career and leadership skills of the fellow (including through providing the fellow with a mentor). The research organisation is also expected to encourage and support the fellow in engaging with the wider cohort of pioneer fellows.
The research organisation statements at both stages of this funding opportunity should draw on the discussions between the applicant and head of department. The research organisation and the applicant should engage to co-create a work plan and discuss and outline the support that will be required to enable them to realise the objectives of the AI pioneer fellowships. This should include plans to realise their research vision, develop their leadership, develop AI skills and knowledge, and progress their career during as well as beyond the end of this fellowship. Research organisations should develop a plan to monitor and adapt this plan of support as needed to allow a flexible fellowship pathway.
At the end of this three-year investment, it is expected that fellows and their wider teams and partners will be in a sustainable position to continue their research beyond the end date of the award. The research organisation must demonstrate how they will ensure sustainability of the fellow’s research and activity to embed AI approaches into their research domain.
Supporting skills and talent
We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment.
Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)
UKRI is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.
As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks.
See further guidance and information about TR&I, including where applicants can find additional support.
