AFIRE AI in Funding Sprint 

The AFIRE AI in Funding Sprint brings together expertise on AI/ML, data science and experiment design across RoRI and RoRI partners.

Large Language Models such as Chat GPT seem poised to transform all areas of knowledge work. In research funding, there are opportunities to improve applicant experience, reviewer selection, evaluation processes and feedback using the latest generation of AI/ML models. 

At the same time, all research funders are squeezed by growing application numbers, pressure to find external reviewers and manage grant programmes. 

Building on the GRAIL project, RoRI is pleased to offer a focussed workshop programme for funders who are serious about deploying AI in a responsible way, and want to collaborate on generating strong evidence on where and how AI can improve grantmaking.

AI in Grantmaking – What works?

You have a goal: Make grantmaking faster, fairer, and less of a grind – ideally without driving away your reviewers.

There’s a problem: Applications keep rising. Reviewer pools are shrinking. And now someone’s said, “Let’s use AI!” like it’s a magic spell.

You try something: Maybe you run a pilot. Maybe Chat GPT writes reviewer summaries that are… oddly convincing. But it’s all uncharted, and the stakes are high.

Things get hard: Bias. Black boxes. Policy panic. Suddenly, that “simple experiment” needs a comms plan, an ethics review, and a strong drink.

Registrations for the Sprint have now closed.