# Rapid Access route

**Funder:** UKRI
**Duration:** Up to 3 months to use allocated GPU hours
**Consortium:** Optional — collaborative projects are welcomed but this route is not aimed at large research programmes
**Application:** Single stage: application via AIRRPortal, light-touch review, max 2 weeks to resource access
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/isambard-ai-and-zenith-airr-supercomputers-rapid-access-route/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Provides compute resource only (no funding) of up to 20,000 GPU hours on the Isambard-AI or Zenith AIRR supercomputers for UK-registered micro, small or medium-sized businesses to conduct feasibility studies, industrial research or experimental development. Applicant must be project lead with a contract at a Companies House-registered organisation; GPU hours must be used within 3 months of award.

## Summary

The Rapid Access route from UKRI provides up to 20,000 GPU hours of compute time on the Isambard-AI or Zenith AIRR supercomputers, not cash funding, to UK-registered micro, small and medium-sized businesses running feasibility studies, industrial research or experimental development. Applications go through AIRRPortal on a rolling basis, with a light-touch review and resource access granted within two weeks. Collaborative projects are welcome but the route is designed for smaller-scale work rather than large research programmes.

## Who should apply

- Project leads with a contract at a Companies House-registered UK business
- Micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) only
- Businesses conducting feasibility studies, industrial research or experimental development
- AI or compute-intensive projects needing short-term GPU access rather than grant funding
- Teams able to use allocated GPU hours within 3 months

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline, applications accepted continuously
- Single-stage application via AIRRPortal with light-touch review
- Resource access granted within 2 weeks; GPU hours must be used within 3 months of award

## Tips for applicants

- This route provides compute hours only, not cash, frame your application around what you'll run on Isambard-AI or Zenith AIRR rather than budget justification.
- Because review is light-touch and turnaround is fast (2 weeks), have your technical workload and GPU-hour estimate ready before applying.
- The 3-month usage window starts at award, so only apply once your team can start the compute work immediately.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the UKRI Rapid Access route provide funding?

No, it provides compute resource only, up to 20,000 GPU hours on the Isambard-AI or Zenith AIRR supercomputers, not cash funding.

### Who is eligible for the UKRI Rapid Access route?

UK-registered micro, small or medium-sized businesses, with the applicant acting as project lead under contract at a Companies House-registered organisation.

### How long does it take to get GPU access through this route?

The application is reviewed via a light-touch process with a maximum of 2 weeks to resource access.

### How long can you use the allocated GPU hours?

Allocated GPU hours must be used within 3 months of the award.

### Is there a deadline for the Rapid Access route?

No, it runs on a rolling, continuous basis with no fixed deadline.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ukri-rapid-access-route-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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