About the Open Call

The Creative Industries Clusters program aims to establish four new clusters to drive research, innovation, and growth in the UK's creative sectors. Led by UK universities, the clusters create research and development driven commercial opportunities, strengthen regional capabilities, and deliver real-world impacts. They focus on creating new products, services, or experiences with commercial potential and address sector challenges such as skills development, EDI, and environmental sustainability.

What is Offered

Total fund of £27,000,000 with a maximum award of £6,750,000 (80% FEC) for 5 years. A minimum of 30% of the total budget must be devolved to support freelancers and SMEs at 100% FEC.

Requirements

Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding. Proposals must include a project lead and at least one co-lead. Higher education institutions that led a cluster in round one are not eligible to lead in this round. The cluster must include industry partners and address specific regional or sub-sector challenges.

How to Apply

Project leads must apply through the UKRI Funding Service by creating an account, completing the application questions regarding vision, approach, team capability, and costs, and ensuring the application is submitted by their institutional research office before the deadline.