SSHRC Artificial Intelligence Humanities Sandpit

Program Link:

https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/funding/opportunities/joint-initiatives/artificial-intelligence-humanities-sandpit.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UBCResearchDigest&utm_source=UBCResearchDigest&utm_term=Vancouver&utm_content=Oct2025

 

Sponsor:

SSHRC and UK Research and Innovation’s Arts and Humanities Research Council

 

Value:

Up to $200,000 over 18 months

 

Description:

 

AHRC and SSHRC invite expressions of interest to attend a humanities-led, interdisciplinary research sandpit putting humanities insights and methodologies at the heart of artificial intelligence (AI) tech design.

 

We are looking for 60 participants from UK, Canadian and US research organizations to take part in in-person and virtual workshops.

 

About the sandpit:

 

We invite applications from individual researchers from the UK, Canada and US to take part in a collaborative, interdisciplinary funding sandpit.

 

A sandpit is a facilitated workshop process through which new project teams and research propositions will be co-developed and funded.

 

Participants apply to attend the sandpit as individuals, and project proposals are generated during the workshops, not in advance.

 

This sandpit is jointly delivered by the UK’s AHRC through the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), and SSHRC in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute and The University of Edinburgh.

 

The sandpit is directed by Professor Drew Hemment, lead of the Doing AI Differently initiative, based at The Alan Turing Institute and The University of Edinburgh.

 

Sandpit process:

 

There are two elements to the sandpit process:

  • an expressions of interest stage where sandpit attendees will be decided
  • the sandpit itself where attendees will form teams, develop project ideas and submit an application for research funding

 

The expressions of interest stage includes:

  • submission of a short questionnaire
  • review of questionnaire responses and sending of invitations to successful applicants

 

The sandpit process will include:

  • a three-day in-person residential workshop in Canada in February 2026
  • a virtual workshop in April 2026
  • director and mentor-facilitated application development, peer review and cohort support
  • support for up to four projects, which must begin on 1 October 2026

 

  1. Deadline:

4:00 PM UK Thursday, October 30, 2025

 

  1. Deadline Description:

Deadline to submit full application.

 

  1. Additional info:

 

EOI Canadian applicants must submit their application directly to AHRC as per the rules and process detailed and are additionally required to contact SSHRC prior to 30 October 2025 at partnerships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca to signal their intention to submit an application.

 

Contact:

Regina Baeza Martinez

 

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