Unlock business funding for your innovation project in the UK

Knowing what grant funding and support is available for data and AI projects in the UK, who provides it, and how to access it can be challenging and time-consuming. We exist to empower businesses like yours to access the best support, resources, and funding aligned to your needs.

We have an extensive network of contacts and collaborators to help you access grants and external funding for your projects. We’ve also released our new Funding Finder tool, a free search tool to save you time and ease the complexity of the funding landscape.

The Data Lab Funding Finder

The Data Lab Funding Finder is an innovative search tool that leverages data and AI to navigate the complex UK funding ecosystem. It is free, easy to use, and an essential tool for anyone seeking UK or EU research and development grant funding.

This revolutionary free tool provides easy and curated access to funding and support opportunities uniquely tailored to your needs. It goes beyond traditional search tools by aggregating information from various sources and employing an intelligent matching algorithm to deliver fast and relevant search results. Adding favourites and interacting with the tool will increase its performance over time.

You can browse all support available in the UK and select European funding sources, explore tailored feeds and discover support and events near you.

What type of funding is available in the UK?

One of the primary sources of funding for data and AI projects in the UK is government-sponsored initiatives. These initiatives provide grants, loans, and other support to businesses working on innovative projects that align with the UK’s strategic priorities. Our team can help you navigate your funding journey and advise you on integrating funding into your strategy.

Often, grant funding goes hand in hand with other funding sources (such as private investment or crowdsourcing). Although we do not offer private funding support, there are organisations such as Business Gateway that can guide your journey on raising funds from private sources.

Our funding opportunities

Pump-Prime Funding

The Data Lab is excited to launch a new collaborative innovation funding programme designed to create and solidify partnerships between Scottish academic institutions and industrial partners. This funding is designed to de-risk follow-on funding applications by supporting projects that solve real-world industry challenges.

Expression of interest closes at 17:00 on Friday, 23 May 2025. Apply now.

Can I speak to someone at The Data Lab about UK funding opportunities?

Our expert team created our Funding Finder tool as your first port of call for bringing your great idea to life. From here you can:

1. Use Funding Finder to find suitable opportunities
2. Find a funding call that you’d like to apply for
3. Speak to a specialist about how your application is shaping up 

We have proven success in helping businesses of all sizes and across all sectors secure funding from £50K to £50M. Our accomplishments include single-partner bids to multi-partner transformational funding, including ISCF, Horizon Europe, and UKRI.

It’s been a pleasure to talk to someone who doesn’t care about what our business does or how big or small we are. I got a genuine sense that The Data Lab was there to help and do the best for us. Best of all, I genuinely felt like no question was a stupid question.

Mercat Tours

We’re also part of a rich business support landscape, including Innovate UK Edge, Interface, Scottish Enterprise, the Accelerator Programmes, and TTOs. Be sure to explore their support offerings.

What does the service include?