Turing AI pioneer interdisciplinary fellowships

Closing date: 24 February 2026 4:00pm UK time

This funding opportunity is for established researchers from across UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s remit, without a background in core artificial intelligence (AI) research, who want to build domain‑relevant AI capability and develop advanced AI approaches to tackle a specific research challenge in their chosen field.

You can only apply for this funding opportunity if you have been invited following a successful outline application.

The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £2,187,500. UKRI will fund 80% of the FEC. Funding is subject to final budget approvals.

Projects can last up to three years and must start on 1 October 2026.

You can only apply following an invitation after a successful outline application. The scope or funding requested for a full application is not expected to differ significantly from the outline. The overall cost requested from EPSRC at the full application stage cannot exceed 10 % above the outline value.

This opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility.

EPSRC is leading this funding opportunity on behalf of UKRI, therefore EPSRC standard eligibility rules apply.

You can apply for the Turing AI Pioneer Interdisciplinary Fellowship if:

• You are an established researcher without a background in core AI research.
• You would benefit from the time and flexibility the fellowship provides to build domain‑relevant AI skills.
• You have a vision for how advanced AI systems and approaches could enable transformative avenues in your research and in your broader community.

The fellowship must be hosted within the UK for its duration. A joint position between an eligible organisation and another sector is allowed, but the host organisation must be the primary entity for the fellowship.

• Researchers not hosted by an eligible research organisation.
• Applicants with a background in core AI research (e.g., a researcher from a core AI discipline or someone whose career has focused on frontier AI models).
• Applicants not invited following a successful outline application.

Applications can include a project co‑lead or an international project co‑lead only in specific circumstances. A joint position for a job‑share application must list one applicant as the fellow and the other as the project co‑lead.

Examples of allowable configurations:

• Two project co‑leads (one UK‑based AI collaborator) if applying as a job‑share; no additional co‑leads.
• One project co‑lead and one international project co‑lead if the AI collaborator is using a UKRI‑RCN or UKRI‑IIASA agreement; no further co‑leads.
• One project co‑lead (UK‑based) if not a job‑share; no international co‑lead.
• One international project co‑lead if not a job‑share and the AI collaborator uses a UKRI‑RCN or UKRI‑IIASA agreement; no UK‑based co‑lead.
• Zero co‑leads if no eligible AI collaborator is present.

Uninvited resubmissions of projects already submitted to UKRI or other funders will not be accepted.