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Apply via time awarded by UKRI

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UKRI provide access via the AI Research Resource (AIRR) call. There are four options:

  • AIRR Gateway route, offering up to 10,000 GPU hours, for up to 3 months, designed for researchers from academia, industry, or other UK organisations
  • AIRR Rapid Access route, offering up to 20,000 GPU hours, for up to 3 months, is open to UK-registered micro, small and medium organisations
  • AIRR Innovator route, offering between 50,000-150,000 GPU hours, for up to 6 months, open to anyone. The Innovator route is designed to support longer, larger projects, ideally building on initial work done via the Gateway or Rapid Access routes.
  • AI for Science route, offering between 200,000-1000,000 GPU hours, for up to 6 months, open to anyone aligned with the AI for Science priority areas, including material science, nuclear fusion, medical research, engineering biology, quantum technologies, and AI-driven research and scientific discovery

Applications are made via AIRRPortal. The Gateway and Rapid Access routes are rolling calls, and are assessed and awarded promptly. The Innovator and AI for Science routes have fixed deadlines, and will be awarded to start in early 2026. The deadlines and award dates are available on the respective guidance pages.

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The periodic UKRI Tier 2 HPC calls are open to UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding. These calls are usually released each Spring and Autumn. Past calls provide further information and methods for receiving updates:

External information

Information and links are based on best knowledge at the time of writing, and provided on a best endeavours basis. Prospective users should engage with external entities for authoritative guidance.