Creative Industries Clusters round 2 (invite only)
UK Research and Innovation funds regional research clusters to drive innovation and growth in the UK's creative industries through interdisciplinary and industry-led collaboration.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (full application submission deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to £6.75 million per cluster (AHRC contribution); up to 5 years; total fund £27 million; minimum 50% additional leverage required.
Summary: Funds four new regional clusters to drive innovation, research, and growth in the UK's creative industries via interdisciplinary collaboration and industry partnerships.
Key Information: By invitation only; applicants must be UK research organisations/HEIs invited after a successful outline application.
Description
This opportunity, managed by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aims to establish up to four new Creative Industries Clusters in the UK. The program is designed to strengthen regional creative economies by fostering partnerships between universities, creative businesses, policymakers, and private funders. Each cluster should address a clearly defined challenge in a specific geographic region or creative sub-sector, focusing on the creation of new products, services, or experiences with strong commercial potential. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, industry integration, talent and skills development, equality, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and environmental sustainability. Clusters are expected to demonstrate robust management, governance, and industry engagement, delivering transformative and lasting economic, social, and cultural impacts.
