Our programmes are designed to advance complex, large-scale ideas which require coordinated investment and management across disciplines and institutions.
Designed and overseen by our Programme Directors, with feedback from the R&D community, an ARIA programme seeks to unlock a scientific or technical capability that:
- changes the perception of what’s possible or valuable
- has the potential to catalyse massive social and economic returns
- is unlikely to be achieved without ARIA’s intervention
To build a programme, each Programme Director directs the review, selection, and funding of a portfolio of projects, whose collective aim is to unlock breakthroughs that advance their impact on society.
See below for all our live programme funding opportunities.
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Our programmes
Forecasting Tipping Points
Programme Directors: Gemma Bale + Sarah Bohndiek
The goal is to enhance our climate change response by developing an early warning system for tipping points.
This programme is open to applications. Submit your full proposal by 11 November.
Synthetic Plants
Programme Director: Angie Burnett
The goal is to catalyse a new generation of major crops that are more productive, resilient and sustainable.
Submit your full proposal from 16 October.
Precision Neurotechnologies
Programme Director: Jacques Carolan
The goal is to unlock new methods to understand, identify, and treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
This programme is now closed for applications.
Robot Dexterity
Programme Director: Jenny Read
The goal is to transform robotic capabilities and unlock a step change in human productivity.
This programme is now closed for applications.
Safeguarded AI
Programme Director: David ‘davidad’ Dalrymple
The goal is to usher in a new era for AI safety, allowing us to unlock the full economic and social benefits of advanced AI systems while minimising risks.
Applications for TA1.4 are now open until 2 January 2025 [12:00 GMT].
Scaling Compute
Programme Director: Suraj Bramhavar
The goal is to increase and open up new vectors of progress in the field of computing by reducing the cost of AI hardware.
This programme is currently closed for applications.
Exploring Climate Cooling
Programme Director: Mark Symes
The goal is to explore whether approaches designed to delay, or avert, climate tipping points could be feasible, scalable, and safe.
This programme is open to applications. Submit your concept paper by 7 October.
Become a Programme Director
Applications for our second cohort of Programme Directors are now open, with start dates in April 2025.
You’ll join us for three years to design a programme around your own scientific or technical vision, and then fund and direct a portfolio of projects to make it a reality.
The journey to a programme
1. ARIA Programme Director (PD) is appointed
ARIA PDs are scientists and engineers tasked with developing a concrete vision for how technology could enable a better future.
2. PDs define an opportunity space
Each Programme Director identifies an area they believe likely to yield breakthroughs.
3. Discovery process and community engagement
ARIA PDs collate feedback on their opportunity space through online and offline engagement with the R&D community.
4. PDs formulate a programme thesis
Based on this feedback, PDs develop and publish a thesis setting out the proposed shape of their programme, including objectives and approach.
5. Programme approval
All proposed programmes have to be approved by ARIA’s leadership team, with input from a panel of arms-length expert reviewers.
6. Funding allocation
Following open funding solicitations, PDs and expert reviewers make final project selection recommendations, based on a set of consistent criteria, as well as alignment with the overall programme goals and objectives.
7. Programme management
PDs monitor progress of each project through a series of 1:1 calls, site visits, and programme-wide meetings. Along the way they can shut-down or pivot dead-end efforts or double down on those that show promise.