# Next Generation Artificial Intelligence (AI): Explainable AI

**Funder:** UKRI
**Budget:** Up to £482,000 (80% of £602,500 FEC)
**Deadline:** 20 October 2026 (4:00pm UK time)
**Duration:** Up to 24 months
**Consortium:** Optional — international researchers may join as project co-lead (international) under UKRI-RCN or UKRI-IIASA agreements; other international collaborators listed as project partners
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/next-generation-artificial-intelligence-ai-explainable-ai/
**Last updated:** 12 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Fundamental, speculative, high-risk/high-reward research to advance explainability of future AI systems. UK research organisations only as lead; UKRI funds 80% of FEC (max £602,500 FEC). Fixed project start date of 1 February 2027. Applications particularly welcome from early and mid-career researchers. No PhD studentship costs or equipment >£25k per item. Purely social science, legal, policy or ethical studies are out of scope.

## Summary

UKRI's Next Generation AI: Explainable AI scheme funds high-risk, fundamental research to advance the explainability of future AI systems, offering up to £482,000 (80% FEC) for projects up to 24 months. The call targets researchers across technical and scientific disciplines who can combine AI expertise with domain knowledge to tackle interpretability challenges; applications are particularly welcome from early and mid-career researchers. International co-leads may participate under bilateral UKRI-RCN or UKRI-IIASA agreements, while other international collaborators can join as partners.

## Who should apply

- Early and mid-career researchers with expertise in machine learning, statistics, or computational methods
- Researchers based at UK research organisations (lead applicant requirement)
- Multidisciplinary teams pairing AI/ML specialists with domain experts (e.g. physics, biology, engineering)
- Projects combining fundamental AI research with explanatory depth, not purely applied tooling
- Teams with capacity to deliver 24-month projects on a fixed start date (1 February 2027)

## Key dates

- Deadline 20 October 2026 at 16:00 UK time
- Single-stage application and assessment
- Fixed project start: 1 February 2027; projects run up to 24 months

## Tips for applicants

- Frame your research as fundamental and high-risk; UKRI explicitly seeks speculative work that pushes explainability boundaries, not incremental tool refinement.
- If using international co-leads, confirm eligibility under UKRI-RCN or UKRI-IIASA agreements early, compliance is gating for lead roles.
- Avoid framing purely as social science, legal, policy or ethics: pair any social/policy insight with technical AI research to stay in scope.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the budget for UKRI Next Generation AI Explainable AI?

Up to £482,000, which represents 80% of a maximum Full Economic Cost of £602,500. The remaining 20% may be covered by your institution's contribution.

### Who can be the lead applicant for UKRI Explainable AI?

Only UK research organisations can lead the project. International researchers may join as co-leads under UKRI-RCN or UKRI-IIASA bilateral agreements; other international collaborators participate as partners.

### How long do Explainable AI projects run?

Up to 24 months, with a fixed start date of 1 February 2027.

### Can I include PhD studentship costs in my Explainable AI application?

No, PhD studentship costs are not eligible. Equipment costs are capped at £25,000 per item.

### Is a purely social science or policy study eligible under this call?

No, purely social science, legal, policy or ethical studies are out of scope, projects must have a substantial AI/technical research component.

---

Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ukri-next-generation-artificial-intelligence-ai-explain-2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md).