Opportunity Seed Funding Call: Nature Computes Better

Concepts

• research services
• opportunity seeds
• the full opportunity seed call document
• unlocking ai compute hardware
• the opportunity space document
• better
• seeds
• computes
• seed
• compute

Location

LONDON

Description

Breakthroughs require finding people who think differently about what's possible - and empowering them to follow their vision. To support scientific and technological breakthroughs, outside of programmes, ARIA Programme Directors can award opportunity seeds to support ambitious research aligned to the opportunity spaces they've identified. To understand how opportunity seeds work within our model, see how we're working here (https://www.aria.org.uk/how-were-working/).

Total Quantity or Scope

This funding call specifically relates to our Programme Director Suraj Bramhavar's programme (https://www.aria.org.uk/what-were-working-on/#suraj). In Nature Computes Better (https://www.aria.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ARIA-Nature-computes-better-v...), we're looking to fund high potential proposals with between £10k and £500k each. We initially expect to fund up to 10 opportunity seeds in this space. We're looking for bold ideas that could challenge assumptions, open up new research paths, or provide steps towards new capabilities. If you have an important idea you're obsessed with, but you don't currently have the resources or support to take it forward, we'd like to hear from you. Ideas could come from anywhere, so we welcome applications from individuals and teams who are early in their career or who have atypical backgrounds. We care more about your idea and your intrinsic motivation than we do about your CV. To help you decide if this is the right funding call for you, here's some guidance on the scope: In scope: + Ideas that sit within the Nature Computes Better 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 document (https://www.aria.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ARIA-Nature-computes-better-v...). + 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. Out of scope: + Ideas that target Suraj Bramhavar's goal of Unlocking AI Compute Hardware at 1/1000th the Cost, as described in his programme thesis (https://www.aria.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ARIA-Unlocking-AI-compute-har...). We expect to release a programme funding call in the coming months. If you are unsure whether your idea fits into Suraj's Programme thesis, ask us by submitting a question using the messaging function within ARIA's application portal (https://public.deepstreamtech.com/requests/658428a1b0e7f12e03818b5c/aria-opportu...). + Ideas that are undifferentiated or that are likely to happen without ARIA support. + Commercial or close-to-commercial stage products. Beyond this scope and our evaluation criteria outlined in the full opportunity seed call document on ARIA's website (https://www.aria.org.uk/seeds-nature-computes-better), we don't have preconceptions about what ideas you might send our way. You don't need to contort your project to fit our goals: we want to hear what you really want to do.

Renewal Options

If funded research projects show compelling results, whether during or at the end of the project, ARIA may invite funding recipients to apply for additional funds without further competition.

CPV Codes

• 73110000 - Research services

Indicators

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• Options are available.
• Renewals are not available.
• Professional qualifications are sought.
• Award on basis of price and quality.

Other Information

The estimated total value is the maximum budget available. We expect to fund multiple applicants. This call for opportunity seed proposals will initially be open for 2 months, and may be extended to add additional rounds. During this period, we will review each application on a rolling basis, with two funding decision points in February and March as detailed below. As this is our first opportunity seed call, we may update timelines based on the volume of responses we receive or other learnings. Round 1 + Create account on application portal: 15.02.24 (16:00 GMT) + Round 1 cut off: 19.02.24 (16:00 GMT) + Round 1 - Shortlisted / unsuccessful applicants notified. Shortlisted applicants invited to meet with Programme Director: w/c 26.02.24 + Round 1 - Final award decision; successful / unsuccessful applicants notified: w/c 04.03.24 + Round 1 - Agreement negotiation & signature target: by 28.03.24 Round 2 - Estimated dates + Round 2 submissions due: Early March + Round 2 - Shortlisted / unsuccessful applicants notified. Shortlisted applicants invited to meet with Programme Director: March + Round 2 - Final award decision; successful / unsuccessful applicants notified: March + Round 2 - Agreement negotiation & signature target: April