Funding for innovative and impactful AI solutions enabling the UK to accelerate progress towards a net zero energy system.
Teams can apply for funding to develop innovations aimed at decarbonising the UK’s energy grid and enhancing energy security, supporting the government’s goal of becoming a clean energy superpower.
Applicants must show how their solutions will promote low-cost energy, reduce demand, and improve energy efficiency. Potential innovations include enhancing wind and solar power generation, using AI to increase efficiency in homes and businesses, and leveraging technology to predict energy demand spikes.
Solutions should demonstrate use of AI that accelerates the UK’s adoption of clean energy technologies at scale, enable efficient or low-cost operations of clean energy systems, and/or significantly reduce energy demand or optimise energy usage.
The winning solution will demonstrate not only technical innovation but also an evidenced road map to near-term (2030) adoption and scale.
ELIGIBILITY
Entries must come from organisations legally incorporated in the UK. In the case of consortia, only the lead partner needs to be based in the UK.
VALUE
Up to 10 finalist teams will each receive:
- £100,000 in seed funding.
- £60,000 in compute credit to develop their innovations.
- A package of non-financial support to develop products and services capable of winning the grand prize.
One finalist team will win the £1 million grand prize in early 2026 (see key dates below for duration of competition phases).
KEY DATES
Information webinars:
- 3 December 2024 (13:30-14:00) – register here
- 17 December 2024 (12:30-13:00) – register here
Deadline: 17 January 2025 (12pm)
Up to ten entrant teams will be selected as finalists in April 2025.
In January 2026, finalist teams will make a final submission to be considered for the grand prize which demonstrates their suitability to win.
In March 2026, the best team will be awarded the grand prize.
Full details can be found on the Manchester Prize website and in the below handbook.