AI Champions: Frontier AI Phase 1 Competition

This funding competition supports UK SMEs developing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. It aims to validate the technical feasibility of ambitious innovations that could enable new products, services or platforms. The programme focuses on AI and ML systems that deliver state-of-the-art performance against benchmarks or new-to-the-world capabilities, with advances arising from model or system architecture, training methodology, or core control and learning algorithms.

Phase 1 is the initial stage of a three-phase, stage-gated funding pipeline. It is intended to de-risk technical feasibility by generating robust evidence that the proposed approach works in practice. Projects must start at a Technology Readiness Level of 3 or below and focus on technology and methodology development. Validation can use synthetic or simulated data, and the AI solution must form the core technical contribution and operational advantage of the project.

Phase 1 funding supports proof-of-concept prototypes, validation against predefined metrics, evidence of technical novelty, a rationale for scaling, and a technical white paper. Progression to Phase 2 will depend on Phase 1 outcomes, business case approval by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and HM Treasury, and the launch of a separate Phase 2 competition. Only successful Phase 1 applicants may apply to Phase 2.