Deadline:
17:00, Friday 12th September 2025
Overview:
The AIchemy Frontier Fund will enable researchers to develop ambitious ideas that operate at the Chemistry-AI interface. Our fund will enable scientists to conduct large scale projects (maximum 2 years) with funding to cover researcher time, consumables and travel.
Funding Details:
- Amount: Up to £1,250,000 per project (award made at 80% FEC)
- Eligible Costs: Researcher time, consumables & travel (see Funding Call document below for more details)
- Eligibility: All applicants must be eligible to receive funding as per EPSRC guidance and must be employed at an eligible UK research organisation for the duration of the requested funding period.
Application Process:
Full details of the application process can be found in the Funding Call document. This document covers full eligibility details, application requirements and details of the review process and timeline.
Applications should be completed using the application template form within the funding call document and emailed to funding@aichemy.ac.uk by 17:00, Friday 12th September 2025. This will be a two-stage application, stage one is a written application and stage two will be a panel interview.
Initial eligibility screening will be conducted by the AIchemy Hub Team, focusing on criteria such as costing and applicant eligibility. The AIchemy Leadership Team will ensure that all proposals align with the Hub’s mission and vision.
By October 2025, an external panel will shortlist up to 10 projects for interview, with interviews taking place in early December 2025. Applicants selected for interview will be asked to provide additional information for their presentation. Interviews will be held online; the duration and specific presentation requirements will be confirmed at a later date.
There will be a webinar to launch the AIchemy Frontier Fund on Wednesday 18th June where further information will be provided and opportunities to ask additional questions. Please register here to attend this launch webinar.
There will be weekly drop in sessions with the AIchemy Hub team to provide further support and guidance as proposals are developed.
Weekly Drop in sessions
| Date |
| Friday 20th June, 11 am – 12 noon |
| Friday 27th June, 11 am – 12 noon |
| Friday 4th July, 11 am – 12 noon |
| Friday 11th July, 11 am – 12 noon |
| Friday 18th July, 11 am – 12 noon |
| Friday 25th July, 11 am – 12 noon |
| Friday 8th August, 11 am – 12 noon |
| Friday 22nd August, 11 am – 12 noon |
| Friday 5th September, 11 am – 12 noon |
Documents:
Please download the Document Pack; it will include the following:
- Funding Call document
- Application Form
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are overheads (estates, infrastructure technicians and indirect costs) eligible on directly incurred staff costs?
Overheads are eligible on directly incurred staff costs.
Are any supplementary documents required, for example letters of support?
Letters of support are required from industrial partners that are contributing match or in-kind funding towards the project. There is no preferred format, however if they are coming from an external partner, they must be signed and dated by the external partner.
Can you clarify if researchers can be costed into the proposal on a part time basis?
Yes, part time working is eligible, but all funds must be spent within 2 years of the project start date. The latest date by which projects can start by is 1st September 2026
Work packages within our proposal will be carried out by myself and my co-investigator, we both hold permanent roles at our institution; therefore our time is already accounted for and will not be requested in the costing section. How should we cover this in the application?
In your application you will need to make it clear which work packages you will be carrying out and that your time is already accounted for through your host institution. This time would be classed as an in-kind contribution from your HEI and the value of said time should be recorded in the HEI contribution section of the costing table. You may wish to also note this in your justification of resources.
What is the expected start date for successful projects?
Should your application be successful, we would expect the project to begin as soon as possible after contract signing, with the latest start date of 1st September 2026. Awarded projects must not exceed 2 years in duration from their start date. Non costed extensions will not available.
Is travel an eligible cost?
Travel and Consumables are awarded on a pro rata basis per PDRA month. This is automatically calculated at £5500 per PDRA year. Additional consumables can be requested above the limit outlined with justification, but will only be funded at the discretion of the AIchemy hub. Any additional costs must remain within the maximum funding available (£1,250,000).
Can equipment be purchased of more than £10,000 on this call?
No, equipment costing more than £10,000 (incl. VAT) is not eligible. Equipment under £10,000 (incl. VAT) must be costed within the available travel and consumable budget. Additional consumables budget can be requested but will be at the discretion of the hub.