Innovate UK funding to support the next generation of artificial intelligence
Businesses in Omagh and the wider Fermanagh and Omagh district working on innovative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies could benefit from a new £1.66 million funding competition launched by Innovate UK.
The Efficient, Structured and Controllable AI Systems competition offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to secure financial support to develop and test advanced AI technologies.
The funding aims to encourage innovation in AI and machine learning, helping businesses develop new technologies that are more efficient, adaptable and controllable.
For local technology businesses, software developers and AI specialists, this presents an opportunity to invest in research and development, strengthen technical capabilities and explore new commercial opportunities.
What Funding Is Available?
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has made up to £1.66 million available through this competition.
Eligible projects must have total costs between £50,000 and £150,000, with grant funding potentially covering up to 70% of eligible costs, depending on business size.
The competition focuses on experimental research and the development of new AI technologies that could contribute to the next generation of intelligent systems.
What Types of Projects Can Be Funded?
The competition supports businesses developing innovative and reusable AI technologies.
Projects must focus on one of three research areas:
- Resource and data adaptive learning: Developing AI systems that can learn and operate more efficiently using available data and computing resources.
- Causal and intervention grounded models: Exploring AI systems that can better understand relationships between actions, causes and outcomes.
- Learned modular computation and routing: Developing AI architectures that can organise and direct processing more efficiently.
The aim is to advance the underlying technology behind AI rather than simply adopt existing AI tools.
Projects must demonstrate genuine technical innovation and address research challenges that could lead to commercially valuable intellectual property.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to eligible UK-registered SMEs, including businesses based in Omagh and across Northern Ireland.
To qualify, projects must:
- Have total eligible costs between £50,000 and £150,000.
- Last between one and three months.
- Start no later than 1 April 2027.
- Finish by 30 June 2027.
- Carry out funded project work in the UK.
- Demonstrate a clear technical innovation and commercial opportunity.
Businesses can apply independently, provided they meet the competition’s requirements.
Applicants should carefully review the full eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
Why Does This Matter for Omagh Businesses?
Artificial intelligence continues to create opportunities for businesses across Northern Ireland, including those operating in Omagh’s growing digital and technology sectors.
With local businesses increasingly exploring software development, digital services, automation and emerging technologies, investment in advanced AI research could help strengthen the area’s innovation capabilities.
For specialist technology businesses in Omagh, this competition could provide support to test new concepts, develop prototype systems and create technologies with wider commercial applications.
It could also offer opportunities to build technical expertise and develop intellectual property that supports longer-term business growth.
However, businesses should recognise that this is a specialist research and development competition, rather than a general grant for purchasing AI software or introducing existing AI tools into everyday business operations.
Key Dates
- Applications opened: Monday 12 October 2026
- Application deadline: Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 11am
- Applicants notified: 20 January 2027
- Projects to start by: 1 April 2027
- Projects to finish by: 30 June 2027
Businesses considering applying should begin reviewing the competition requirements and preparing their proposals well ahead of the deadline.
Find Out More and Apply
Omagh businesses developing advanced AI and machine learning technologies are encouraged to explore this opportunity and assess whether their projects meet the funding criteria.
Full details, including eligibility requirements, project scope and application guidance, are available through Innovate UK.
Find out more:
View the full competition details and apply through Innovate UK
Application deadline: Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 11am.
