Artificial Intelligence Humanities Sandpit
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Arts and Humanities Research Council plan to invite researchers to submit expressions of interest (EOI) to participate in a humanities-led, interdisciplinary research “sandpit” (a facilitated, collaborative process through which new research teams and project ideas are developed and selected for funding) to put humanities insights and methodologies at the heart of artificial intelligence (AI) tech design.
Through a series of workshops, teams will develop project ideas for further funding. Up to four grants will be awarded. Travel and subsistence costs to attend an in-person workshop will be covered by the funders.
Visit the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) website for more information on the Artificial Intelligence Humanities Sandpit.
This program is currently closed. The details below reflect the previous call and are for general information purposes only. Updates will be posted as soon as the next round is announced.
Value and Duration
Up to $200,00 for 18 months.
Eligibility
Open to researchers from any career stage based in the UK, Canada and the US, pending final funder approvals.
As this is an interdisciplinary opportunity, researchers from outside the humanities are eligible to apply.
As projects will require the development of AI-related tools, SSHRC encourages individuals with relevant technical expertise to apply.
As successful applicants will be able to bid for grant funding through the sandpit mechanism, you must be eligible to receive funding from either UKRI or SSHRC.
Canadian Applicants
To act as a project lead, you must be affiliated with a Canadian institution that meets the SSHRC institutional eligibility requirements.
Deadlines
- Faculty deadline: consult your Faculty Research Facilitator
- Office of the Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International) (OVPRII) Approval Form deadline:
October 27, 2025 - OVPRII application submission deadline: October 30, 2025 by 4 p.m. (UK time)
- EOI deadline to sponsor: October 30, 2025 by 4 p.m. (UK time)
Submitting Your Application
- Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database cuResearch.
- Submit an external application to SSHRC by following their submission guidelines.
Contact Us
Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss this funding opportunity with their Faculty Research Facilitator.