Can we transform our understanding of neurological disorders by interfacing in new ways – at scale – with the human brain?
We're looking to fund bold ideas within the Scalable Neural Interfaces opportunity space with up to £500k each.
You can find the scope below and our evaluation criteria in our call for proposals. Scroll for a deep-dive from Programme Director Jacques Carolan on what he's looking for and his wider vision for the opportunity space.
What's in scope?
+ Ideas that sit within the Scalable Neural Interfaces opportunity space. By this, we mean your proposal should show how your idea either aligns with or challenges the assumptions of the Summary, Beliefs, or Observations in the opportunity space;
+ Ideas that could change the conversation about what is possible or valuable;
+ Ideas that range from early stage curiosity-driven research through to pre-commercial science and technology.
What's out of scope?
+ Ideas that are within scope of the Precision Neurotechnologies programme;
+ Ideas that are undifferentiated or are likely to happen without ARIA’s support;
+ Commercial or close-to-commercial stage products.
There is no minimum length for a proposed project but the maximum length is three years.
Who are we looking to fund?
We welcome applications from the entire R&D ecosystem. We’re keen to hear from early career entrepreneurs and researchers, and those from a broad range of sectors and backgrounds; we care more about your idea and intrinsic motivations than we do about your CV.
What budget and timeline can you propose?
We provide funding from £10k up to £500k per project, inclusive of VAT (where applicable) and all associated costs (both direct and indirect).
There is no minimum length for a proposed project but the maximum length is three years.
Want to know more about the types of projects we’re keen to see?
Programme Director Jacques Carolan has shared his vision for the opportunity space + example projects for inspiration in a piece for ARIA’s Substack.
Apply for funding
Deadline: 13 February 2025 [13:00 GMT]
Before submitting an application, please read the call for proposals.
We’ve designed a short and straightforward application. We hope you can spend no more than two to three hours writing it, though you may wish to spend more time thinking through your idea before applying.
If you have any further questions relating to the opportunity seed call, please email clarifications@aria.org.uk.
Essential resources for this call
Applications open | Clarifying questions deadline | Application deadline | Shortlisting1 | Final award decision2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2 December 2024 | 10 February 2025 [13:00 GMT] | 13 February 2025 [13:00 GMT] | 11 March 2025 | 21 March 2025 |
- Shortlisted/unsuccessful applicants notified. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to meet with the Programme Director.
- Successful/unsuccessful applicants notified.
Meet the Programme Director
Jacques is an applied physicist and neuroscientist. He spent a decade building quantum computing technologies before pivoting into systems neuroscience where he developed optical technologies to understand living brains. Prior to ARIA, Jacques was a BBSRC Discovery Fellow at the University College London.
"seedy seed"
Jacques Carolan
Programme Director