AI in Science and Lab Automation Awards for Imperial Staff

Here ‘AI’ is interpreted very broadly, e.g.: including topics in Bayesian Inference and Robotics; ‘Science’ covers any typical topic in Natural Science and Engineering (Epidemiology, Biology and basic science in biomedicine are included but clinical medical themes are not covered, including conventional medical imaging). Example topics include Bayesian optimization for molecular or materials design; machine learning for single cell data; physics-based ML for turbine design; satellite imaging to predict disease risk; and Astrostatistics. Generic AI with general application is outside remit. Further elaboration of the AI in Science remit can be found in the FAQ in the Schmidt Sciences Fellowship pages here.

Lab automation will be understood broadly to include physical automation of experimental workflows; open‑source (open‑science) laboratory hardware; computational infrastructure that directly supports automation; and self‑driving labs (closed‑loop autonomous experimentation). Both high-throughput automation and automation of bespoke experimental workflows are in remit.

The I-X Centre for AI in Science is inviting submissions from permanent Imperial academic faculty for interdisciplinary events on the themes of AI in Science or Lab Automation. 

Key information:

• Up to £15,000 is available, with a maximum of £3,000 per event.
• The type of events may include workshops, symposia, signature speakers or seminar series. 
• Events must be delivered in-person and hosted at Imperial (though not necessarily at the I-Hub).
• We require a short 1-page post-event report on each event.
• Match-funding is welcomed. 

Candidates must:

• Be current Imperial permanent academic faculty members.
• Demonstrate interest in creating interdisciplinary events or series that build community around the themes of AI in Science or Lab Automation.
• Commit to participate in the proposed events. 
• Deliver a report on the results of the event. 

Please complete this application form, outlining your event proposal and how it fits to the theme.

You are welcome to use this AI in Science and Lab Automation Event Fund Application Template to draft out your submission prior to copying into the official application form. 

Deadline to apply is 23:45 GMT on Friday 27 March 2026. 

Applications will be reviewed based on:

1. How well they fit the themes of AI in Science or Lab Automation.
2. Scholarly importance and novelty.
3. How the event builds community.
4. How this funding would remove barriers and enable change.
5. Consideration of the audience including inclusive participation and a thoughtful approach to EDI.

The I-X Centre for AI in Science is inviting submissions for an ‘AI in Science and Lab Automation Pivot Prize’ from permanent Imperial academic faculty who have substantially and recently  changed the nature of their research within the last 3 years. The applicants must demonstrate evidence of how they have already substantially moved the direction of their research through either the use of AI tools or Lab Automation. Candidates that intend to change the direction of research, please apply to the Pivot Fellowship.

Key information:

• Funding up to £10k for work that has demonstrated a significant 'pivot' in the nature of your research through the use of AI tools or Lab Automation.
• The money can be spent within the remit of the fund and the proposed spend must be outlined within your application.
• We will require a post-award report to explain how the funding has been spent and the impact of this.

Candidates must:

• Be current permanent Imperial academic faculty members.
• Demonstrate how they have substantially moved the direction of their research with AI tools or Lab Automation in the last 3 years through publication records that have appeared in the last 3 years.
• Produce a post-award report detailing how the funding has been spent and the impact of this.

Please note: This prize is not suitable for groups that have a long-established track record in these areas.

Please complete this application form, outlining how you have made a significant 'pivot' in the nature of your research related to the theme.

You are welcome to use this AI in Science and Lab Automation Pivot Prize Application Template to draft out your submission prior to copying into the official application form. 

Deadline to apply is 23:45 GMT on Friday 27 March 2026. 

Applications will be reviewed based on:

1. Specifics about the tools used and the narrative for the change in your group’s research that meant the old approach was insufficient.
2. Research outputs linked to this change.
3. How the money will be spent to advance your research in AI in Science or Lab Automation in the next 12 months. 

The I-X Centre for AI in Science is inviting submissions, for up to three Fellowship awards for 10k each to allow permanent Imperial academic faculty members to move their groups towards using AI tools to disrupt their fields or using Lab Automation to accelerate their research. If you have already made this move/change, then you are not eligible for the Pivot Fellowship, however, you may be eligible for the Pivot Prize.

Key information:

• Funding up to £10k for projects that demonstrate a pivot towards using AI tools to disrupt scientific fields or Lab Automation to accelerate research.
• The money can be spent within the remit of the fund and the proposed spend must be outlined within your application.
• We will require a post-award report to explain how the funding has been spent and the impact of this.

Candidates must:

• Be current permanent Imperial academic faculty members.
• Use the funding to support pivots towards using AI tools to disrupt scientific fields or Lab Automation to accelerate research.
• Deliver a report on the results of the fellowship after 12 months explaining how the funding has been spent and the impact of this.

Please complete this application form outlining your proposal and how it fits to the theme.

You are welcome to use this AI in Science and Lab Automation Pivot Fellowship Application Template to draft out your submission prior to copying into the official application form. 

Deadline to apply is 23:45 GMT on Friday 27 March 2026. 

Applications will be reviewed based on:  

1. Scientific context of the current situation and any bottlenecks.

2. Necessity of change: why this is the right time to pivot, and how AI or Lab Automation is the appropriate lever. 
3. Project delivery plan showing how the £10,000 will be used to advance your team’s research within 12 months. This must include realistic deliverables and specific engagement with tools and technologies.