Empowering scientists to reach for the edge of the possible

ARIA is a UK R&D funding agency built to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone.

Society’s most important advances have stemmed from those willing to think differently about what might be possible.

The Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) empowers scientists and engineers, from our Programme Directors to the teams we fund, with the resources and freedom to pursue breakthroughs at the edge of the possible.

Many will fail to meet their target, but their efforts will inspire the next generation. Those that do succeed will generate massive social and economic returns.

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Opportunity spaces

Defined by our Programme Directors, ARIA opportunity space are highly consequential for society; under-explored relative to their potential impact; and ripe for new talent, perspectives, or resources to change what’s possible. Each opportunity space represents fertile ground we'll harvest for technical breakthroughs through programme and seed funding.

Scalable Neural Interfaces

Programme: Precision Neurotechnologies

Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders have enormous social and economic impacts. What if we could solve the mysteries of neurological disorders and mental health by interfacing with the brain in new ways?

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Live funding opportunities

Opportunity Seed

Opportunity seed: Programmable Plants

The Programmable Plants opportunity space asks if we can programme plants to remove more CO2, improve food security, and deliver medicines to those in need. This seed funding call is looking to fund projects to challenge assumptions, open up new research paths, and provide steps towards new capabilities within the space, with up to £500k each.

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Opportunity Space

Programmable Plants

Programme Director

Angie Burnett

Application Date

09 April 2025

Programme Funding

Safeguarded AI: Technical Areas 1.2 + 1.3

Backed by £14.2m, we’re looking to fund teams of software developers to build the scaffolding needed for the success of the Safeguarded AI programme. For Technical Area 1.2, we are looking for Creators to develop the computational implementation of the theoretical frameworks being developed as part of TA 1.1 (the 'Theory'). For TA 1.3, Creators will work on the 'Human-Computer Interfaces' that facilitate interaction between diverse human users and the systems being built in TA 1.2 and TA 2 (‘Machine Learning’). These technical areas are integral to supporting the programme’s wider ambition on demonstrating the viability of a new, alternative pathway for research and development toward safe and transformative AI.

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Opportunity space

Mathematics for Safe AI

Programme Director

David 'davidad' Dalrymple

Application Date

09 April 2025