The ACORN programme is pleased to announce that the second funding round for the Collaboration Scheme and Culture Scheme is now open for applications.
Building on the strong interest generated during the first funding round, ACORN is continuing to invest in activities that strengthen connections between academia, industry, communities and civic organisations across Oxfordshire and Cumbria. The new funding opportunity is designed to support innovative ideas that increase collaboration, develop skills, and create lasting impact within the robotics, artificial intelligence and nuclear innovation sectors.
The Collaboration Scheme provides support for early-stage partnership building and knowledge exchange activities. Funding can be used to establish new collaborations, facilitate workshops and site visits, support secondments, and enable researchers to engage with industry partners, end users and other stakeholders. The scheme is intended to help develop relationships and ideas that may ultimately progress into larger research, innovation or commercialisation opportunities.
The Culture Scheme supports activities that strengthen the wider innovation ecosystem through outreach, engagement, skills development and inclusion initiatives. Projects may focus on public engagement, careers and skills activities, widening participation, community engagement, or other initiatives that help ensure the benefits of robotics and AI innovation are shared more broadly across the regions.
Eligibility
Applications for both schemes must be led by academics from EPSRC-eligible research organisations. Applications from individuals, companies or organisations that are not led by an eligible academic applicant will not be considered. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate:
- Clear alignment with ACORN objectives;
- Meaningful collaboration across organisations, sectors or regions;
- Strong potential for impact in Oxfordshire and/or Cumbria;
- Consideration of equality, diversity and inclusion;
- Deliverable and proportionate plans with clearly defined outputs.
Key Dates
Scheme Opens: 2 July 2026
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Assessment and Moderation: October 2026
Funding Decisions Announced: November 2026
ACORN particularly welcomes applications that create new connections between researchers, industry, supply chains, civic organisations and communities, helping to strengthen the place-based innovation ecosystem across both regions.
Further information, application guidance and scheme documentation are available through the ACORN programme website.
Apply now and help shape the future of robotics and AI innovation across Oxfordshire and Cumbria.
