ARIA Robot Dexterity call: standards and benchmarks for dexterous robotics
ARIA offers up to £3 million per project for shared benchmarks, standards and test infrastructure in dexterous robotics. Proposals are due December 1, 2026.
ARIA, the UK Advanced Research and Invention Agency, has opened a request for proposals on standards and benchmarks for dexterous robotics. The call sits inside the £88.5m Robot Dexterity programme in the Adaptive Machines opportunity space.
Teams may request up to £3 million per project, for projects of up to 24 months. The call funds benchmarks, standards, interfaces and shared capabilities that many robot developers can use. Standards for tactile sensing data are a particular priority. Performance evaluation, interoperability between hardware and software, and shared testing facilities are also in scope.
ARIA favours broad consortia, which can include overseas partners, manufacturers, test facilities and standards bodies. Organisations based outside the UK may apply, but they need to explain how the work will benefit UK robotics.
Proposals are a PDF of no more than 5 pages plus references, sent through ARIA's grant portal by 1 December 2026 at 13:00 GMT. Clarification questions must arrive through the page chat by 24 November 2026. ARIA plans to tell teams by 9 December 2026 if they are selected for further discussion.
Quick answers
Can a single product or research result be funded?
No. ARIA says a standalone product or research advance with no credible wider use would not meet the purpose of this call.
Is matched funding required?
No. Matched funding is optional.