Responsible AI UK (RAi UK)

One-line summary

National responsible-AI research network with multiple funding routes; thematically the strongest fit for RAIDT.

Why it fits RAIDT

RAi UK funds exactly what RAIDT does — responsible AI, governance, ethics, accountability research with practical impact. Multiple sub-schemes:

Keystone Projects: £2m–£3.5m, 80% fEC
Impact Accelerator: £1.5m total across 5–10 projects
Partnerships: project-specific funding

Phase 2 funding expected 2026–27 (set up watch).

Key parameters

Field	Value
Amount	Keystone £2–3.5m; Impact Accelerator c.£100–500k per project
Funding rate	80% fEC
Match funding	Not strictly required
Eligible applicants	UK academic-led; multi-disciplinary; Impact Accelerator allows academic + business co-leads
Project length	Keystone 30+ months; Impact Accelerator 6–18 months
Closing date	Variable. Watch https://rai.ac.uk/funding/

How to apply

Engage with the RAi UK network early — sign up for newsletters and events
Identify a relevant call when announced
Build cross-institutional consortium (Southampton, Edinburgh, UCL, Cambridge, KCL, Glasgow are RAi UK partners)
Submit via UKRI Funding Service

Application content needed

Cross-institutional consortium
Co-investigators across disciplines (technical + social science + ethics)
Use case in regulated sector
Industry partner letters of support
Public engagement plan

Realistic competitiveness

Highly competitive at Keystone level — typically 5+ academic partners and named industry sponsors. Impact Accelerator is more accessible for early-career researchers.

Action plan if pursuing

Newsletter signed up (Phase 1 Week 4)
Identify potential Edinburgh/UCL/Southampton co-PI
Engage with one current Keystone project as observer
When Phase 2 calls open: assemble consortium
Target: Impact Accelerator submission Q4 2026, Keystone consortium Q1 2027

Active engagement strategy

Engage BRAID directors Profs Ewa Luger / Shannon Vallor (Edinburgh) as natural consortium partners (BRAID is closely aligned with RAi UK)
Engage UCL AI Centre (esp. Generative Models hub) for technical depth
Engage one NHS Trust or FCA-regulated firm as sector partner

Notes

Phase 1 Keystone projects worth examining: PROBabLE Futures (law enforcement), Glasgow's Participatory Harm Auditing project, Southampton-led work
RAi UK is also linked to ESRC Digital Good Network — cross-network leverage possible
Engagement is cumulative; one good touchpoint per quarter sustains visibility