New national computing resources to open doors for researchers | Innovate UK
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has committed £76 million to launch four National Compute Resources (NCRs), a major push to give UK researchers the “digital engines” they need to confront society’s biggest challenges—from accelerated drug discovery and greener transport to climate modelling and cultural analysis.
A new era for UK research
This investment is the first major milestone in delivering the UK Compute Roadmap, the national plan launched in July 2025 to secure the UK’s position as a global leader in high‑tech research. Where supercomputing once served a handful of niche disciplines, these four new platforms are designed for the entire research community. Whether mapping the human genome, engineering more efficient aircraft, or mining vast digital archives, researchers will gain the scale and speed required to turn ambitious ideas into validated results.
Why this matters
“Compute” is the large-scale digital horsepower needed to process data and run complex simulations. The right mix of hardware, software, and expertise turns months of work into days—or even hours—unlocking faster iteration, deeper insight, and more robust outcomes. By investing in four distinct compute resources, UKRI is ensuring researchers can access:
- High-performance processing for data-heavy workloads and complex models
- Flexible architectures tailored to AI, simulation, and general-purpose computing
- Scalable capacity to match projects from pilot studies to national-scale endeavours
- Reliable, secure infrastructure that supports both academic and industrial research
Driving growth across the UK
The NCRs will sit alongside the UK’s existing flagship AI and supercomputing services, widening access to cutting-edge capability and shortening the path from breakthrough concept to real-world impact. By making powerful compute more broadly available, the programme aims to accelerate innovation, boost productivity, and keep the UK on the front line of global science and technology.
What are GPUs—and why they matter for AI
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) excel at handling many tasks simultaneously, making them ideal for modern AI and data-intensive science. From simulating molecular interactions to speed drug discovery, to training complex machine-learning models and analysing enormous datasets, GPUs deliver massive parallel-processing power. The NCRs will expand national GPU capacity, helping researchers push new frontiers in AI, climate science, materials, and beyond.
What are CPUs—and where they shine
Central Processing Units (CPUs) are the versatile “brains” of a computer. CPU-based systems are essential for traditional scientific simulations, engineering calculations, workflow orchestration, and a vast swathe of general-purpose research. These resources will provide fast, dependable compute for everything from high-level decision-making tools to structural modelling, ensuring balanced performance across diverse disciplines.
What’s next
The four NCRs are expected to be fully available to researchers by 2026 to 2027, with at least two systems coming online in summer 2026. To help users maximise impact from day one, UKRI will also establish community centres of excellence that provide expert training, hands-on support, and best-practice guidance—broadening participation and ensuring these capabilities translate into discoveries, products, and policy. Further details on the centres will follow in the coming months.
Pushing the boundaries of British research
According to Richard Gunn, Programme Director at the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the £76 million investment marks a pivotal step toward building a world-class, integrated national compute ecosystem. By establishing four complementary NCRs, the programme directly delivers on the ambitions of the 2025 UK Compute Roadmap and lays the cornerstone infrastructure required to push the limits of UK research. Gunn highlighted that the initiative represents a step-change in capability—more accessible, more sustainable, and intentionally user-centred—offering diverse architectures that cater to a much broader community, from climate scientists to AI researchers.
Bottom line: with fresh capacity, smarter architectures, and a strong support network, the UK’s research community is set to move faster, collaborate more effectively, and tackle bigger questions—turning computational power into scientific and economic progress.
