The UK government has announced a £36 million investment to expand the computing power of the DAWN supercomputer at the University of Cambridge
The funding, confirmed on 26 January 2026 by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, will increase the DAWN supercomputer’s capacity sixfold by spring 2026. The upgrade will provide UK researchers and start-ups with free access to some of the world’s most advanced AI computing infrastructure.
A major upgrade for British AI
DAWN supercomputer is already one of the UK’s most powerful AI-focused supercomputers and forms part of the national AI Research Resource (AIRR). The new investment will significantly expand its capabilities, allowing researchers to work with larger datasets, more complex models, and more ambitious projects than ever before.
As part of the upgrade, DAWN supercomputer will be equipped with AMD’s latest MI355X AI processors, integrated by Dell Technologies. These chips represent a new generation of high-performance AI hardware typically available only to the largest global technology companies. Their introduction marks a major step forward for publicly accessible computing in the UK.
Supporting researchers and start-ups nationwide
The expansion will benefit universities, research institutes, small businesses, and start-ups across the country. Through AIRR, users gain free access to powerful computing resources that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive, lowering barriers to innovation and helping ideas move from research to real-world application.
Since its launch, the DAWN supercomputer has already supported more than 350 projects. Researchers have used the system to develop AI tools that could accelerate personalised cancer vaccine development and improve environmental and climate modelling. The additional capacity is expected to unlock entirely new areas of research.
Real-world benefits from more computing power
The government says the investment will help deliver benefits for the public. Increased computing power will support the development of faster, more accurate diagnostic tools, enabling earlier disease detection. It will also help create smarter digital systems that reduce waiting times and improve the efficiency of public services.
In terms of research, enhanced AI capabilities will allow for more detailed climate modelling, helping communities better prepare for extreme weather events and long-term climate risks. These applications show the growing role of AI as a tool for solving complex societal challenges.
Oxford–Cambridge innovation
The investment strengthens Cambridge’s role within the Oxford–Cambridge corridor, one of Europe’s most important centres for science, technology, and innovation. The region is home to world-leading universities, research institutions, and fast-growing technology companies, making it a natural hub for advanced computing infrastructure.
Alongside the DAWN supercomputer upgrade, the government is also backing the development of a new National Computational Resource supercomputer at Cambridge, further expanding the UK’s scientific computing capacity.
The funding forms part of the government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which commits more than £2 billion to public compute infrastructure. This includes plans to expand the AI Research Resource at least twentyfold by 2030 and to build a new national supercomputer in Edinburgh.
AIRR, launched in July 2025, currently includes DAWN in Cambridge and Isambard-AI in Bristol. Together, they aim to ensure that British researchers and innovators can compete globally by providing access to world-class computing power.
