ai@cam is inviting University of Cambridge researchers to apply for a second round of its AI-deas Sprint Programme, a six-month accelerator designed to transform promising AI research into working prototypes with real-world impact.

The programme offers teams up to £25,000 in funding, alongside hands-on technical support and opportunities for project development. Running from November 2026 to May 2027, it builds on the success of the first cohort, which produced eight prototypes spanning challenges from adenomyosis diagnosis and brain tumour surgery to crop disease forecasting and housing planning.

“We’re looking for researchers who understand a problem deeply and know who would use a solution. The Sprint Programme gives those teams the time, technical support, and partnerships to turn that understanding into something that works in the real world,” said Jess Montgomery, Director of ai@cam. 

Projects can be proposed across nine challenge areas: AI for mental health and brain research; AI for climate and nature; women’s health; AI for cultural heritage; AI in education and assessment; language equity and inclusion; AI for connected cities; AI for science; and an open category for ambitious projects addressing societal challenges outside these domains.\

Supporting pathways from research to implementation

The programme is designed for projects that address clearly defined challenges and have identified potential users, stakeholders or communities who could benefit from the resulting solution. Successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate a realistic pathway to developing a minimum viable product within six months, alongside plans to engage end users and implementation partners throughout the process.

Researchers from any discipline across the University of Cambridge are eligible to apply, including those working in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, arts and humanities, and the University’s collections community. Cross-disciplinary collaborations are strongly encouraged and applications will be assessed on innovation, potential for real-world impact, and the feasibility of delivering a working prototype within the programme timeframe. Shortlisted teams will be invited to pitch their proposals to a panel of entrepreneurs, academics and industry experts.