Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers: Gateway route
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) · United Kingdom
Opportunity providing access to high performance AI computing resources on the Isambard-AI and Dawn supercomputers to support artificial intelligence research and development projects, testing algorithms, benchmarking workflows and exploring new AI research applications. Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR super…
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Opportunity providing access to high performance AI computing resources on the Isambard-AI and Dawn supercomputers to support artificial intelligence research and development projects, testing algorithms, benchmarking workflows and exploring new AI research applications. Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR super…
Eligibility
Applicant types
Business, Research
Business size
SME, Large
Industries
Artificial intelligence research and development across sectors including advanced manufacturing, creative industries, life sciences, clean energy, defence, digital technologies, professional services and financial services
Match funding
Required
Requirements
UK based researchers from academia, UK registered businesses, research organisations eligible for UKRI funding, charities and not for profit organisations The project lead must have a contract longer than the proposed project duration with the host organisation Projects exploring AI research including algorithm development, benchmarking workflows, AI assisted research processes, AI enhanced sim...
Eligible applicants
UK based researchers from academia, UK registered businesses, research organisations eligible for UKRI funding, charities and not for profit organisations
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to 10,000 GPU hours (no cash funding)
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
Not applicable (up to 10,000 GPU hours, no cash funding).
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Projects exploring AI research including algorithm development, benchmarking workflows, AI assisted research processes, AI enhanced simulations, data generation and AI driven data processing
Eligible expenses
- No grant funding is provided. The opportunity provides access to compute resources only
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under AIRR supercomputer access scheme terms (compute access not direct grant costs).
Application and risks
Application platform
AIRRPortal
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
GPU resources are allocated through fortnightly batching rounds with an estimated time to resource access of around one month after submission
Assessment process
Applications undergo a light touch review by the UKRI and DSIT delivery team against criteria including alignment with AIRR scope, novelty of AI use and expected research outputs
Application sections
- Online form including project details, resource request information and project team membership, plus supporting documentation covering project details and assessment questions
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not follow application guidance, fail eligibility requirements or do not align with AIRR programme scope
Timeline and partners
Opening date
Not specified
Project duration
GPU resources must be used within three months of project start.
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Innovate UK, Medical Research Council (MRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Collaboration rules
- Collaborative projects are allowed but the route is not intended for large research consortia
- Not specified
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Fundamental research, feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development"},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must clearly demonstrate innovative use of AI computing resources and explain how outcomes will benefit research or innovation activities"},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Successful projects may request a one time additional allocation of up to 50% of the original GPU hours if more than 90% of the original allocation has been used and sufficient project time remains"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- Up to 10,000 GPU hours (no cash funding)
- Funding band
- Micro (<£50k)
- Funding type
- Other
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Business, Research Innovation, Mixed
- Industry
- Artificial intelligence research and development across sectors including advanced manufacturing, creative industries, life sciences, clean energy, defence, digital technologies, professional services and financial services
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 17 Aug 2025