ARIACloses in 19 daysIncluded in GrantPartner*Robot Locomotion: TA1 + TA2
Any type of organisation from any location. TA1 (Integrated Robot Bodies) has a strong commercial focus: most competitive applicants expected to be companies or to form one if funded, with a UK benefit case proportional to award size. TA2 (Foundational Technologies) open to research teams at any maturity. Same team should not normally apply to both TAs (different teams in one organisation may).
- Funding
- £1m+
- TA1: up to £15m per team over 4 years (phased, go/no-go gates; ~£42m TA1 budget). TA2: normally £1–2m per project, max £4m, up to 30 months (~£10m TA2 budget). Source: call for proposals PDF https://www.aria.org.uk/media/maypsd03/robot-locomotion-ta1-2-solicitation.pdf
- Closes
- 4 December 2026
- Applicants
- Collaborative
- Any type of organisation from any location can apply. For TA1, the most competitive applicants are expected to be companies or to form a company if funded. TA2 is open to research teams at any maturity.
What this competition funds
- TA1 supports Integrated Robot Bodies, with a strong commercial focus.
- TA2 supports Foundational Technologies and is open to research teams at any maturity.
- The listing covers feasibility and industrial R&D within robot locomotion.
- TA1 offers phased funding with go/no-go gates, while TA2 supports projects lasting up to 30 months.
Who can apply?
- Lead applicant
- Any type of organisation from any location can apply. For TA1, the most competitive applicants are expected to be companies or to form a company if funded. TA2 is open to research teams at any maturity.
- Partners and collaborators
- Single and collaborative applications are supported. The same team should not normally apply to both technical areas, although different teams within one organisation may do so. Confirm detailed collaborator rules in the official brief.
- Worth checking
- TA1 applicants should present a UK benefit case proportional to the award size. Confirm full eligibility and eligible cost rules in the official brief.
What assessors look for
01
Need and challenge fit
Explain the robot locomotion problem your project addresses and why it belongs in Integrated Robot Bodies or Foundational Technologies. Confirm the precise assessment criteria in the official brief.
02
Innovation
Make the technical advance explicit and explain how your R&D will test it. Distinguish an integrated robot body proposal under TA1 from a foundational technology proposal under TA2.
03
Impact and value for money
Connect the requested funding to clear technical outcomes. For TA1, explain the commercial opportunity and make the UK benefit case proportional to the award size.
04
Delivery and team
Show how the team's capabilities support the proposed work. For TA1, structure delivery around phased progress and go/no-go decisions; for TA2, keep the plan within the stated maximum duration.
Where applications usually lose marks
- An unclear fit between the proposed work and the chosen technical area, or the same team proposing to apply to both without addressing the stated restriction.
- A TA1 proposal with a weak commercial case or a UK benefit case that does not justify the requested award.
- A delivery plan that overlooks TA1's phased go/no-go gates or exceeds TA2's funding or duration limits.
How GrantUp can help
Our specialist bid writers build the scoring case, budget and narrative with you, with an over 82% success rate per engagement and over £190m secured for clients. Grant funding engagements have a minimum upfront setup fee starting from £1,750, plus a success fee payable on award. The scope and success fee are agreed before work starts. We do not take equity.
This competition is also covered by GrantPartner. GrantPartner is a paid six month grant programme with the cost spread in monthly payments, a rolling portfolio of bids and a success fee on award. If no funding is awarded during the programme, we extend it.
Discuss this grantFrequently asked questions
How much funding is available?
TA1 offers up to £15m per team over four years, with phased funding and go/no-go gates. TA2 normally offers £1m to £2m per project, capped at £4m. The listing states 100% of eligible project costs are funded; confirm cost eligibility in the official brief.
Can organisations outside the UK apply?
Yes. Any type of organisation from any location can apply. TA1 has a strong commercial focus, with the most competitive applicants expected to be companies or form one if funded, and a proportionate UK benefit case. TA2 welcomes research teams at any maturity.
Can we apply with collaborators or to both technical areas?
The listing allows single and collaborative applications. The same team should not normally apply to both TA1 and TA2, but different teams within one organisation may do so. Confirm collaborator eligibility, application structure and any exceptions in the official brief.
How do we apply?
Start with ARIA's Robot Locomotion TA1 and TA2 call for proposals PDF linked in this listing. Select the technical area that matches your work, then confirm the submission route, required documents and assessment criteria in the official brief. The listing does not specify the application process.
Programme at a glance
- Funding
- £1m+
- Funder
- ARIA
- Region
- International
- Partners required
- Yes
- Next deadline
- 4 December 2026
Why GrantUp
- Over 82% success rate per engagement
- Over £190m secured for clients
- Specialist technical bid writers
Considering Robot Locomotion: TA1 + TA2?
Talk through your project with a specialist and find out whether this is the right competition before you invest time in an application.