AI Champions: Frontier AI Phase 1

Overview of the Programme

Innovate UK has launched a new competition to support the development of frontier artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies.

The programme aims to help UK SMEs validate ambitious AI innovations that could deliver step-change improvements in capability and unlock new commercial markets. Funding will support early-stage research and feasibility studies that demonstrate the technical potential of novel AI approaches.

This competition represents Phase 1 of a three-stage funding pipeline designed to support the development of the UK’s next generation of AI innovators. Phase 1 focuses on technical feasibility and evidence generation. Projects that demonstrate strong progress may be invited to apply to future phases that support demonstrators and commercial scale-up.

What the Programme Supports

The competition funds feasibility studies and industrial research exploring advanced AI and machine learning innovations in terms of:

• AI model or system architecture
• Training methodologies
• Core learning or control algorithms

Proposals should aim to deliver one or more of the following outcomes:

• Proof of concept for a novel AI architecture or subsystem
• Technical validation of a system or component capability
• Demonstration of frontier AI performance delivering state-of-the-art or new-to-the-world capability
• Evidence that the technology and business model can scale
• A clear strategy for accessing data and compute infrastructure

At the end of the project, teams will be required to produce a technical whitepaper summarising technical progress, validation results, remaining risks, and readiness for the next stage of development.

Who Can Apply

This competition is primarily targeted at UK-registered SMEs developing advanced AI technologies.