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There is no single grant that funds every AI project in Northern Ireland. Support is usually tied to innovation, research, skills or a defined business project. Eligibility, opening dates and eligible costs can change, so always check the official programme page before planning around funding.
This guide outlines the main places to look in 2026 and the preparation that will help whether or not a grant is available.
Invest NI lists its current innovation support in one place. Options include Innovation Vouchers, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, business innovation support and guidance on other Innovate UK opportunities.
Each programme has its own rules. Some are open to a broad range of Northern Ireland businesses, while others require a particular company size, project type or Invest NI relationship. Read the live eligibility criteria and speak to the named programme contact before committing costs.
An Innovation Voucher can help an eligible business work with an approved university, college or publicly funded research organisation on an innovation project. It is not a general payment to the business and it does not cover every kind of digital work.
The Invest NI Innovation Vouchers page explains current calls, eligibility and excluded activities. Check whether the proposed AI work is genuinely an innovation project and whether the intended knowledge provider can deliver it.
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership connects a business with a UK knowledge base for a strategic innovation project. The work is delivered through a partnership and the business contributes to the project cost.
UK Research and Innovation explains the KTP model and publishes current funding opportunities separately. This route suits a substantial project that needs academic or technical expertise, rather than a quick software setup.
The Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre provides learning resources and business support focused on responsible AI adoption. Its programmes have their own eligibility and availability. At the time of this update, the AICC Transformer Programme page says new applications are closed while existing projects are handled.
The AICC AI Learning Lab is another route for practical learning. Check the live pages for current access rather than relying on an old list of dates.
Innovate UK and local business support bodies publish time-limited calls. A programme may support research, product development or collaboration without being labelled as an AI grant. Search by the business problem and project type as well as by technology.
Avoid paying someone to prepare an application until you have confirmed that the programme is open, your organisation is eligible and the proposed costs fit the rules.
A short discovery or AI audit can help turn a broad idea into a defined project. It should not be presented as a guarantee of funding.
Funding pages change. Confirm the current status, dates, costs and eligibility with the organisation running the programme. Keep a dated copy of the guidance used for your decision and record any advice received.
Blue Canvas can help define the workflow, technical scope and evidence needed for a practical AI project. We do not promise that an application will succeed.
For support beyond funding preparation, see our main service for AI consultancy in Northern Ireland.
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