Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026: Up to £25,000 for Research Innovation

Applications are now open for the Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026. This international initiative supports new software tools and technologies to advance research. It offers awards of up to £25,000 for early-stage ideas that use technology to aid science and increase its impact on society. The focus for 2026 is on AI that actively participates in research through agentic workflows.

Application Closing Date: October 5, 2026
Location: Not specified
Programme Duration: Not specified
Stipend: Up to £25,000
Opportunity Type: Grant

About the Digital Science Catalyst Grant

The Digital Science Catalyst Grant aims to foster innovation in research software and technology. It specifically supports early-stage ideas that leverage technology to improve scientific processes and outcomes. The grant is looking for novel applications of technology that can create meaningful change in how research is conducted.

For 2026, the program is particularly interested in AI-driven tools and platforms. These should go beyond simple description and actively engage in research tasks. The focus is on agentic workflows, where AI plans, executes, and reviews research steps autonomously, with built-in accountability and governance.

The grant provides financial support of up to £25,000. However, it also offers significant value through expert advice and networking opportunities. The Digital Science team, with extensive experience in research and research software, provides guidance to applicants, helping them refine their ideas even if they do not receive an award.

About Digital Science

Digital Science is a global technology company that supports science and research. They develop and invest in innovative tools and platforms that aim to improve the research ecosystem. Their work spans various aspects of the research lifecycle, from discovery and writing to funding and integrity.

The company is committed to advancing scientific progress by providing researchers and institutions with the resources they need. They focus on creating solutions that enhance efficiency, collaboration, and impact within the scientific community. Digital Science believes in investing in the research community because they are an integral part of it.

Available Grant Opportunities

The Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026 is seeking applications for innovative projects focused on AI in research. The primary areas of interest include:

• Agentic tools and platforms that perform multi-step research processes.
• Software embedded within existing researcher workflows.
• Tools with built-in audit trails, governance, and provenance.
• Solutions addressing challenges in the research lifecycle, such as writing, discovery, evidence synthesis, peer review, funding decisions, or research integrity.

What the Grant Offers

Successful applicants for the Digital Science Catalyst Grant will receive financial support of up to £25,000. This funding is intended to help develop and advance promising ideas in research technology. Beyond the monetary award, recipients benefit from the expertise and guidance of the Digital Science team.

The grant provides opportunities for valuable conversations and advice from professionals with deep experience in research and software development. Even applicants who do not receive an award can gain insights, make connections, and refine their project ideas. This community-focused approach helps nurture innovation across the research landscape.

Programme Duration and Location

The specific duration of projects funded by the Digital Science Catalyst Grant is not specified. Similarly, the geographical location for applicants or project execution is not stated, suggesting it is an international opportunity.

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for the Digital Science Catalyst Grant, applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Be an early-stage startup, research project, or an individual with innovative ideas.
• Focus on building agentic tools that operate across multiple research steps.
• Develop tools that can be embedded in existing researcher workflows.
• Ensure tools carry audit trails, governance controls, and provenance for trust.
• Address a real problem within the research lifecycle (writing, discovery, evidence synthesis, peer review, funding decisions, or research integrity).

Competencies Required

While not explicitly listed as formal competencies, the grant seeks individuals and teams who demonstrate:

• A deep understanding of research challenges.
• Innovative thinking in applying technology to solve problems.
• The ability to plan and execute multi-step processes.
• A commitment to building trustworthy and reliable research tools.
• An understanding of the existing research workflow and tools.

Who Should Apply?

This grant is ideal for startups, research groups, and forward-thinking individuals who are developing cutting-edge AI tools for research. If you have an early-stage idea for software that can automate and improve parts of the research process, this opportunity is for you. It suits those who want to build tools that researchers can rely on, with clear accountability and integration into their daily work.

Required Documents

While a specific list of required documents is not provided, applicants should be prepared to submit:

• A detailed proposal outlining their project idea.
• Information about their team’s experience and expertise.
• Details on how their proposed tool addresses a specific research problem.
• An explanation of how the tool will be embedded in existing workflows.
• A clear outline of the expected outcomes and metrics for success.

Applicants are advised to check the application portal for any specific document requirements.

How to Apply

To test your idea before applying, consider the following:

• Clearly name the research decision your agent affects and who makes it.
• Identify where it fits in the research lifecycle.
• Name the tool or system it must integrate with.
• Confirm the work genuinely requires more than one step.
• Test where the tool might fail or what tasks it should refuse.
• Name your outcome metric, such as hours saved or time to decision.

Click here to apply for the Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026.

For more information, visit the Digital Science Catalyst Grant page.

Important Notes

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applicants should ensure their proposed solution genuinely involves multiple steps and is not a single-prompt task.
• The focus is on tools that integrate into existing workflows rather than standalone demos.
• Projects must address a real problem within the research lifecycle.

Closing Date

The closing date for the Digital Science Catalyst Grant 2026 is October 5, 2026.

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