UKOMAIN Call for Proposals Round 1
The UK Open Multimodal AI Network (UKOMAIN) is pleased to announce the first funding call under the Open Multimodal AI Benchmark (OMAIB), a key mechanism for delivering UKOMAIN’s mission through open, interdisciplinary, and community-driven benchmarking to address Tomorrow’s Engineering Research Challenges (TERCs). We define Multimodal AI broadly as the integration of any two or more types of data, not limited to texts and images.
OMAIB (pronounced “Oh-Maybe”) aims to support the development of multimodal benchmark datasets, tasks, evaluation protocols, and baseline models that reflect real-world complexity and encourage inclusive, interdisciplinary collaboration. We expect this first round to fund 4–8 well-scoped, cost-effective research projects, forming the foundation of a community-led benchmarking ecosystem.
Additional discussion and matchmaking opportunities will be offered during the Third Workshop on Multimodal AI in London on 16–17 September 2025.
UK-based academic researchers eligible for EPSRC funding may apply. Fixed-term researchers (e.g. PDRAs) are also eligible under certain conditions. We strongly encourage applications from:
These questions were raised during the OMAIB Round 1 launch webinar on 11 July 2025. They cover common queries about the funding scope, eligibility, proposal process, and more. Click on a question below to view the answer.
Yes. There is no restriction on the number of proposals a PI may submit.
Yes. International collaborators, including researchers and industry partners, are welcome to participate. However, only UK-based applicants (PIs and Co-Is) and institutions are eligible to receive funding under this call.
PI or Co-I roles must meet EPSRC eligibility rules (see the call document). Visiting researchers who want to be a PI or Co-I must seek clarification and support from their line manager and institution (typically research office or equivalent).
PIs must meet EPSRC eligibility. Full-time PhD students cannot be PIs. Please refer to the EPSRC eligibility guidance in the call document for further details. For part-time PhD students, it depends on their employment status and institutional policies. However, they are welcome to contribute to the project as team members, either in partially funded (part-time) or unfunded roles.
They do not necessarily need to deliver something directly, but should be actively engaged and contribute meaningfully to the project. This could include providing data, resources, expertise, feedback, validation, or other technical input. Their involvement should enhance the project’s relevance and impact.
Industry partners are one type of stakeholder. Stakeholders can include any other relevant parties, such as policy makers, NGOs, or community groups.
Yes, indirect costs are eligible. Please refer to the call document for details on eligible costs.
Three rounds are planned during 2025–2027. This first round (OMAIB-R1) is the only one currently open for proposals. We plan to announce the second round (OMAIB-R2) in early 2026.
Final decisions for Round 1 will be made by 19 December 2025.
No. The essential requirements outlined for EOI screening must be satisfied. Full proposals will then be assessed against a broader set of qualitative criteria listed in the call document. These are not numerically weighted but considered holistically in shortlisting and final decisions.
The eight TERC challenge domains are: Space, Transportation Systems, Materials, Health and Wellbeing, Robotics and AI, Responsible Engineering, Nature-based Engineering, and Global Engineering Solutions. Please refer to the Tomorrow’s Engineering Research Challenges document for more details.
It means engaging with the wider multimodal AI community, including researchers, practitioners, end users, and other stakeholders to shape your project and its outputs for maximum impact. This can involve sharing your work openly (e.g. on GitHub), engaging with the community through open discussions, and ensuring your project addresses real-world needs and challenges that are relevant and meaningful to them.
Yes, as long as it aligns with the call’s goals and demonstrates clear relevance to real-world applications. All proposals will be assessed based on the criteria outlined in the call document, including their potential impact and feasibility within the funding period.
For further details, please refer to the full call document provided above.
UKOMAIN is funded by EPSRC (UKRI396).