Allowed. The funder lets applicants use AI, and applicants answer for everything they submit.
What applicants may do
- Proposals may include AI in the research itself. The call lists AI in biomarker discovery and patient stratification as an area of interest. [3]
What the funder asks of applicants
- Use generative AI responsibly. Make sure the originality, validity, reliability and integrity of anything AI creates or changes. This includes making sure funding applications are accurate and not false or misleading. The policy places this duty on the research centers. [2]
- Follow the Host Institution's policies on generative AI, especially those on plagiarism and fabrication. [2]
- If the research program uses AI tools for data analysis or workflows, respect intellectual property rights. Put safeguards in place so that AI input and output do not expose confidential knowledge, unpublished results or protected materials. [3]
What is off limits
- Do not hide the use of AI or automated tools when creating content. AIRC lists this as scientific misconduct. [2]
If an applicant breaks the rule
- If misconduct allegations are upheld, AIRC may end the grant and require repayment of grant money. It may also bar the person from applying for AIRC grants and exclude them from AIRC review panels. It may suspend the grant during the investigation. [2]
Rules for reviewers
- Reviewers must not upload any part of an application or its materials into online tools that do not ensure data confidentiality. These include generative AI tools that use Large Language Models, such as ChatGPT. [1]
- Reviewers take full responsibility for their assessments, including accuracy, tone, reasoning and originality. [1]
- By agreeing to evaluate an application, reviewers commit to keeping all related materials confidential. [3]
Where this comes from
The funder's own words, from its own pages.
Conflict of interest, confidentiality, non-disclosure and responsibility rules (opens in a new tab)
In line with this, no parts of an application and its associated materials can be uploaded into any online software where the confidentiality of data is not ensured, such as web-based storage providers (i.e. Google Drive, DropBox etc.) and artificial intelligence generative tools that use Large Language Models (i.e. ChatGPT etc.).
Reviewers also agree to take full responsibility for their assessments, including accuracy, tone used, reasoning and originality of all their evaluations.
The AIRC policy on research integrity (opens in a new tab)
by using generative Artificial Intelligence tools responsibly to ensure the originality, validity, reliability and integrity of outputs created or modified by generative AI tools (this includes ensuring funding applications contain accurate information and do not contain false or misleading information); by adhering to Host Institution policies on the use of generative AI tools, particularly those concerning plagiarism and fabrication;
plagiarism; hiding the use of AI or automated tools in the creation of content or drafting of publication;
“5 per Mille” CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Should the program foresee the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support data analysis and enhance research workflows, the adoption of such technologies must always respect intellectual property rights.
It is therefore essential to implement appropriate safeguards to ensure that the use of AI does not inadvertently expose confidential knowledge, unpublished results, or protected materials, thus preserving the integrity and protection of the project’s intellectual assets.
By agreeing to evaluate an application, reviewers commit to maintaining confidentiality of all related
Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Biomarker Discovery and Patient Stratification: Use of AI and
This is a reading of what the funder has published, and it is not legal advice. A solicitation can set its own rule, so read the funding announcement before a PI applies.