Sponsor
Funders: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Co-Funder: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
Program
Expressions of interest: artificial intelligence humanities sandpits: Canada, UK and US
Description
AHRC and SSHRC invite expressions of interest to attend a humanities-led, interdisciplinary research sandpit putting humanities insights and methodologies at the heart of artificial intelligence (AI) tech design.
They are looking for 60 participants from UK, Canadian and US research organizations to take part in in-person and virtual workshops.
During the sandpit process, teams will form, develop and refine project ideas through a facilitated process guided by the sandpit Director and Mentors.
They plan to fund up to four grants. £625,000 is available for UK-based team members (£156,250 per project), of which AHRC will pay 80% (£125,000). CAD $800,000 is available for Canada-based team members. US-based team members may be part of funded UK or Canada teams, under certain conditions.
Travel and subsistence costs for the in-person workshop will be covered by AHRC and SSHRC.
Further guidance on eligibility and participation requirements is provided in the "Who can apply" section under "Eligibility" below.
Eligibility
Who Can Apply
This funding opportunity is open to researchers based in the UK, Canada and the US.
As this is an interdisciplinary opportunity, they welcome researchers from outside the humanities to apply.
As projects will require development of AI-related tools, they particularly encourage individuals with relevant technical expertise to apply.
Applications from a range of disciplines, and career stages including established faculty as well as those in post-doctoral positions, are encouraged. Applications from current PhD students will not be accepted.
As successful applicants will be able to bid for grant funding through the sandpit mechanism, you must be eligible to receive funding from either UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) or SSHRC.
Canadian-based Applicants
All Canadian applicants and grant holders must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution that holds institutional eligibility at SSHRC.
They must also comply with the Regulations Governing Grant Applications, the regulations set out in the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration, and the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
They are committed to building a diverse, inclusive research community.
They particularly encourage applications from researchers from underrepresented backgrounds, institutions, or regions, and those exploring alternative epistemologies or knowledge systems often excluded from AI design.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | To apply to participate in the sandpit, complete the online Expression of Interest form by 4:00pm UK time on Thursday October 30, 2025 (11:00am EST). If successful, outcomes and invitations to attend the sandpit will be communicated by Friday December 12, 2025. EOI Canadian applicants must submit their application directly to AHRC as per the rules and process detailed and are additionally required to contact SSHRC prior to October 30, 2025 at partnerships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca to signal their intention to submit an application. |
How to Apply
How to Apply
You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) as an individual to be considered for participation in the Sandpit.
You should not apply with a pre-formed project or team. Participants will co-develop projects through the sandpit process, supported by expert mentors and feedback from other sandpit participants. The assessment of applications developed during the sandpit will take place shortly after the end of the sandpit and will require the submission of proposals to AHRC.
Your submission will ask for:
- a brief summary of your disciplinary background and research focus
- an explanation of how your work aligns with the aims of the Sandpit and the Doing AI Differently initiative
- your interest in collaborative, transdisciplinary research
- any access or support requirements
They are seeking a cohort of researchers from a range of disciplines, sectors, career stages, and institutions. You may be from an academic, independent, or practice-based background.
They welcome applications from both early-career and experienced researchers. In the case of more established applicants, we actively encourage proposals that align with, extend, or leverage the resources of existing research programmes or labs.
Participants at the sandpit will be assessed as individuals not as members of a group. However, projects emerging from the sandpit are free to develop relationships with existing collaborations or labs if that can further the objectives of the project.
You must be available to participate fully in:
- a three-day residential workshop in Canada between February 17 and 19, 2026
- a virtual workshop in April 2026
Further guidance on eligibility and participation requirements is provided in the "Who can apply" section.
Expressions of interest will be assessed by the Sandpit Director and Sandpit Mentors alongside AHRC and SSHRC.
Information for Canada-based Applicants
EOI Canadian applicants must submit their application directly to AHRC as per the rules and process detailed and are additionally required to contact SSHRC prior to October 30, 2025 at partnerships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca to signal their intention to submit an application.
Proposals can involve any disciplines, thematic areas, approaches or subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding. See subject matter eligibility for more information.
Requirements related to final applications will be shared with successful EOI applicants, during the in-person workshop in February 2026.
Canada-based researchers can request a maximum of $4,000 for travel-related subsistence expenditures for attendance at the in-person workshop in Montreal. According to the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration, all travel and travel-related subsistence expenditures (meals and accommodation) must be claimed in accordance with the applicant’s administering institution’s relevant policies and processes. Travel and travel-related subsistence expenditures must be effective and economical.