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
Precision Neurotechnologies
Programme Director: Jacques Carolan
The goal is to unlock new methods to understand, identify, and treat neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Submit your concept paper by 29 July.
Robot Dexterity
Programme Director: Jenny Read
The goal is to transform robotic capabilities and unlock a step change in human productivity.
This programme is currently closed for applications. You will be able to submit a full proposal from 16 August.
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.
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.
This programme is currently closed for applications.
Our theses
The following theses underpin programmes that are currently in development at ARIA. We share an early formulation and invite you to provide feedback to help us refine our thinking.
| Programme thesis | Programme Director | Opportunity space | Status | Download the thesis [PDF] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forecasting Tipping Points: Uniting climate measurements and models to create an early warning system | Gemma Bale + Sarah Bohndiek | Scoping Our Planet | Seeking feedback | See more |
| Exploring Options for Actively Cooling the Earth | Mark Symes | Future Proofing Our Climate and Weather | Seeking feedback | See more |
| Synthetic Plants for a Sustainable Future | Angie Burnett | Programmable Plants | Seeking feedback | See more |
Programme thesis
Forecasting Tipping Points: Uniting climate measurements and models to create an early warning system
Programme Director
Gemma Bale + Sarah Bohndiek
Opportunity space
Scoping Our Planet
Status
Seeking feedback
Download the thesis [PDF]
Programme thesis
Exploring Options for Actively Cooling the Earth
Programme Director
Mark Symes
Opportunity space
Future Proofing Our Climate and Weather
Status
Seeking feedback
Download the thesis [PDF]
Programme thesis
Synthetic Plants for a Sustainable Future
Programme Director
Angie Burnett
Opportunity space
Programmable Plants
Status
Seeking feedback
Download the thesis [PDF]
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.