Wooden tiles from a game spelling out the word funding
Web Science Institute

Funding for research

We fund research and PhD studentships in web science, data science and AI, as well as collaboration between academic and non-academic partners.

Human-centred AI interdisciplinary studentship

We offer PhD studentships to postgraduate applicants who:

  • will focus their research on human-centred AI
  • are eligible for UK fees

Your research proposal should be on a topic such as: 

  • online health 
  • social and embodied AI 
  • democratic futures 
  • trustworthy AI 

Funding

Studentships typically cover fees and include a stipend (living allowance). They focus on a theme or selection of themes, which vary from year to year.  

How to apply

Learn more about the studentship, including how to apply, on our postgraduate research project page for the interdisciplinary studentship in human-centred AI.

WSI Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise (KEE) fund

This is fund, from the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), is allocated to the University by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), and is designed to stimulate knowledge exchange activities which align to the  University Strategy, the Knowledge Exchange & Enterprise Strategic Plan, or the Civic Strategic Plan.

These include collaborative projects with business, industry, local government, public sector or charitable organisations, community bodies, and the wider public.

The WSI Knowledge Exchange Fund invites applications for interdisciplinary socio-technical projects in the areas of web science, data science or human-centred AI, and welcomes applications from all disciplines, particularly those led by early career researchers. 

Activities

These include collaborative projects with business, industry, local government, public sector or charitable organisations, community bodies, and the wider public. Projects may involve:

  • developing and maturing new technologies, ideas and inventions
  • co-creation of innovation
  • translation of research
  • commercialisation for social good initiatives
  • activities which contribute to levelling up and supporting the University’s civic agenda
  • placements and secondments
  • CPD and external skills development
  • projects focusing on equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI)

Projects must involve collaboration with an external non-academic partner and should support or undertake knowledge exchange (KE) activity.

Timing and funding

Projects may run for up to six months between 1 February 2025 and 31 July 2025. Successful projects will be awarded funding normally within a range of £5000 to £15000.   

Application process

Funding is available to members of University of Southampton staff. To apply please download and complete the application form, and submit to [email protected] by 5:00 pm on Friday 29 November 2024.

WSI Pilot Project fund

This funding opportunity is designed to stimulate and pump-prime interdisciplinary research activity across the university, and build the foundations for the development of future full research grant proposals. 

WSI are keen to support proposal in any relevant research area related to web science, data science, human-centred AI or socio-technical studies: 

Culture, society and government

  • enriching society and culture through AI
  • AI for government, security, justice and equity
  • responsible and trustworthy AI
  • AI powered solutions for protecting and improving National Security and Critical Infrastructure

Environmental impact  

  • AI and sustainability
  • AI and decarbonisation 

Work and the economy

  • AI future skills development
  • AI and work futures
  • AI in business and economic growth

Health and life sciences  

  • AI for public health
  • AI use in healthcare
  • AI in life sciences  

Applications for the WSI Pilot Project Fund 2024-25 are now closed. Please check back in September 2025 for details of future funding.