Scope
Description
To help guide and shape how ARIA thinks about AI Scientists, we are inviting proposals for a series of short exploratory projects, to be undertaken using AI Scientists. We are specifically looking for AI systems that are able to perform the full end-to-end workflow of scientific knowledge creation. This call will be backed by up to £3M and targets awards of up to £500K with a maximum duration of 9 months
Total value (estimated)
- £417,000 excluding VAT
- £500,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2026
- 9 months
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Ability to extend for additional months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73110000 - Research services
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
7 November 2025, 11:59pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
14 November 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
28 November 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| AI Scientist System Capability & Automation | Quality |
| Ambition, Clarity, and Suitability of the Research Problem | Quality |
| Value for ARIA's Learning and Future Strategy | Quality |
| Cost | Cost |
Weighting description
See tender document on https://www.aria.org.uk/ai-scientist/funding
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
See call document on https://www.aria.org.uk/ai-scientist/funding
Contracting authority
Advanced Research and Invention Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVHN-2521-XHNQ
5 Beaconsfield St
London
N1C 4EW
United Kingdom
Email: clarifications@aria.org.uk
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Organisation type: Public authority - central government