forensics · supporting evidence
Sovereign AI
what changed in the procurement guidance?
the two files
PDF creation timestamps are metadata, not publication dates. Original, archived and preserved files matched byte-for-byte when checked on 2026-10-19. V1 and V2 are comparison labels.
nine wording changes
− removed+ addeddarker = exact words changedwhite = unchanged context
Nearby wording is shown for context, with PDF line wrapping normalised. Only the changed passages are coloured.
01 full applications: from any time to competition dates
Proposals are assessed in competition batches every two months.
−Once you are an Approved Supplier, you can submit your Full Application at any time, and it will be assessed after the next competition deadline.
+Once you are an Approved Supplier you can submit your Full Application in line with the Competition Dates.
02 three opening dates added
The dates for this financial year are:
Batch 1:
+Opens 15 September 2026
Submit your proposal by 16 October 2026 to receive an outcome on 13 November 2026
Batch 2:
+Opens 14 November 2026
Submit your proposal by 31 December 2026 to receive an outcome on 29 January 2027
Batch 3:
+Opens 30 January 2027
Submit your proposal by 26 February 2027 to receive an outcome on 31 March 2027
03 lead applicant work share added to eligibility
The project must be located in the UK.
+The lead applicant must carry out at least 50% of the work.
Project proposals must be between £250,000 and £10 million.
04 challenge selection added to stage 1 checks
What we check:
+Which challenge you intend to address.
Whether your work aligns with the Sovereign AI Focus Areas (these are described in more detail in the EOI form):
05 subcontracting confirmation added to stage 1
Confirming your understanding that this is a research and development scheme and proposals must constitute R&D.
+Confirming your understanding that no more than 50% of the work can be subcontracted.
Whether initial due diligence checks on the lead applicant identifies any material issues that could prevent the application from proceeding.
06 competition windows repeated in stage 2
Stage 2 – Full Application
−Following admission to the Approved Supplier List, applicants can submit a proposal against any of our live competition challenges.
+Following admission to the Approved Supplier List, applicants can submit a proposal against any of our live competition challenges within the Competition Date windows.
07 flexigrant portal description revised
−Applicants will be invited to submit their Full Application on Flexigrant, an application portal which contains detailed instructions on the assessment questions and information required at the Full Application stage.
+Applicants will be invited to submit their Full Application on Flexigrant, an application portal which contains instructions on the assessment questions and detailed information on each of the challenges.
Due Diligence Check –Creditsafe ‘know your customer’ due diligence checks will be conducted on the lead applicant and all subcontractors involved.
08 outcome timing: within one month becomes one month after
−You will receive an outcome within one month of the deadline.
+You will receive an outcome one month after the deadline.
The dates for this financial year are:
Batch 1:
09 eligibility addressed directly to the applicant
Eligibility
To be eligible for this Scheme:
−The proposal must address one of the Scheme’s current challenges.
+You must address one of the Scheme’s current challenges.
The lead applicant must be a UK-registered company.