About the programme
Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) are investing £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme. This programme helps professional service sectors, including accounting and law, and the financial service sectors, including insurance, lending, advisory and payment services, develop and use digital technologies.
This programme aims to transform UK professional and financial services by responsibly developing and deploying digital technologies to deliver world-leading services through five strands of activity:
- Adoption – Support for adoption in demand side firms through two new dedicated Innovation Adoption Accelerators.
- R&D support – Collaborative R&D innovation support programme for lawtech, accountech, fintech and insurtech.
- Data access – Data access in cross sectoral areas of professional and financial services.
- Networking – Connecting, disseminating learning and building community through the AI for Services network.
- International – Support to develop international collaboration opportunities.
Support for organisations
NETWORK
AI for Services
AI for Services is a UK-wide network of innovative professionals and leading academics. Sign up to access funding, relevant content, and collaboration opportunities, or book a welcome call with our experts.
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ACCELERATOR
Technology in Professional Services
Helps mid-tier and smaller accounting and law firms to adopt digital technology, through funding, training, technical and organisational advice, and structured adoption processes.
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ACCELERATOR
Future Finance
Aims to accelerate innovation adoption in SME and mid-tier financial services firms to help boost their productivity and competitiveness, opening the potential to develop new propositions and create new markets.
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IMPACT
Funded projects
The programme has supported a wide range of projects that have developed new technologies, products and services to transform the professional and financial services sector.
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PODCAST SERIES
AI for Services
This podcast series reveals how artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and inclusive design are addressing real-world challenges such as broken customer journeys, inefficient processes, and regulatory complexity.
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Related News
07/07/2025
Connecting founders with accountants: Event highlights from Digital Accountancy Matchmaking
The Digital Accountancy Matchmaking event took place in June 2025 at Oxford Brookes University and was organised for the AI for Services network of the Innovate UK’s Next Generation Professional Financial Services programme in collaboration with TiPS (Technology in Professional Services).
Read more
27/03/2025
New synergies and fresh insights explored at the UK National Showcase for Professional and Financial Services
Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) hosted the UK National Showcase: Next Generation Professional & Financial Services on Tuesday, 11 March 2025 in London, Westminster to discover some of the UK’s most exciting digital innovations for the sector.
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Related Opportunities
Horizon Europe 2025 work programme Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society
Opens: 03/05/2025 Closes: 12/11/2025
Topics available under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 3 programme for 2025/26, with funding of up to €6m per project
More Information
Innovate UK innovation loans: Round 22
Opens: 10/07/2025 Closes: 27/08/2025
UK registered businesses can apply for loans for close to market innovative projects with strong commercial potential. They must significantly improve the UK economy and drive societal benefit.
More Information
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2025 – 2026 Round 3
Opens: 16/06/2025 Closes: 17/09/2025
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults, working with businesses or not for profits, can apply for a share of up to £9m.
More Information
Our Experts
Useful resources
AI for Services 2025 report
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Next Generation Services Brochure 2025
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Future Finance, Advice Guidance Boundary Review Paper
Download
Trajectories of Legal Work in the Context of Machine Learning
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Future Finance, Technology Insights Series: Challenges and Opportunities for Credit Unions
Download
Future Finance, Technology Insights Series: Financial Advice and Wealth Management
Download
AI for Services Report 2022
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Next Generation Services Mission Canada 2022
Download
Next Generation Services Brochure 2022
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Next Generation Services Evaluation
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AI Readiness Toolkit
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AI for Services Report 2020
Download
Related content
Join AI for Services
The AI for Services Network is part of the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme delivered by both Innovate UK and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and funded by Innovate UK. Through opportunities, regular events, and practical resources, we support our 1500 members in the transformation of the UK’s professional and financial services sector through the development and adoption of digital technologies. Stay up to date with industry and academic leaders, high growth entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals in your sector by subscribing to our monthly newsletter.