Creative Industries Clusters round 2 (invite only)
Forecasted
Creative Industries Clusters round 2 (invite only) supports university-led creative partnerships undertaking collaborative research and development to drive commercial innovation and regional growth.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Outline) | July 2027 (Invited full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to £6.75 million per cluster for five years; £27 million total fund
Summary: Supports university-led creative industries partnerships delivering collaborative R&D, commercial innovation and regional growth.
Key Information: Full applications require an invitation following a successful outline application.
Description
Managed by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Creative Industries Clusters brings together universities, creative businesses, policymakers and private funders to drive research, innovation and growth. The programme supports new clusters addressing an industry-recognised challenge in a defined geographic region, creative subsector or both. Collaborative, interdisciplinary R&D must have a strong arts and humanities presence and develop products, services or experiences with commercial potential.
The programme seeks to broaden the portfolio’s geographic reach and address subsectors and challenges not covered previously. Priorities include business growth, skills and talent, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and environmental sustainability, aligned with the UK’s Creative Industries Sector Plan. Activities can include audience-led prototyping, experimental studios, business-model and intellectual-property development, training, and support for finance and routes to market.
