Empowering scientists to reach for the edge of the possible

Scroll to get to know ARIA

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.

Discover more about ARIA
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.

Click below to discover them all.

 A cut-out graphic of half of a brain.
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? 

Live funding opportunities
Opportunity SeedOpportunity seed: Programmable PlantsThe 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.
Opportunity SpaceProgrammable Plants
Programme DirectorAngie Burnett
Application Date09 April 2025
Programme FundingSafeguarded AI: Technical Areas 1.2 + 1.3Backed 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.
Opportunity spaceMathematics for Safe AI
Programme DirectorDavid 'davidad' Dalrymple
Application Date09 April 2025
Latest news
A photo of Matt Clifford, Ilan Gur and Angie Burnett looking at the camera. Matt and Angie are sat down and Ilan is standing.
News02 October 2024

Can ARIA put the UK back on the scientific map?

Wired UK

Read more
Gettyimages 1338582490
News04 September 2024

The UK is building an alarm for climate tipping points

MIT Technology Review

Read more
A photo of Ilan Gur smiling and sitting down in front a cream background.
News23 August 2024

ARIA's Ilan Gur on backing big breakthroughs

Startup Europe – The Sifted Podcast

Listen here
A photo of Yoshua Bengio and Davidad Dalrymple standing in front of a white board
Announcements07 August 2024

Yoshua Bengio joins Safeguarded AI as Scientific Director

MIT Technology Review

Read more
A photo of Programme Directors Jacques, davidad, Mark, Suraj, Gemma and Jenny.
Insights18 September 2024

The UK’s bet to create technologies that change the world

Nature

Read more
Activation Partners Web Asset (1)
Announcements09 October 2024

Meet our Activation Partners

Driving progress through science entrepreneurship

Read more
Antonia Jenkinson
Announcements15 February 2024

Our approach to funding with COO Antonia Jenkinson

Read more
Nature Computes Better (1)
Announcements25 October 2024

A deep dive on Scaling Compute

What if we could galvanise a community of researchers to fundamentally rethink how AI learns?

Read more