Collaborative R&D grants for creative industry innovation
Funding is available for innovative creative industry projects
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is offering up to £2 million in grants to support innovative projects in the creative industries. The competition is open to UK businesses that want to develop new products and tools to strengthen the UK's creative economy.
This competition is open to collaborations only. To be eligible, the lead organisation must be a small business based in the UK, working within one of the creative industries subsectors and collaborating with other UK-registered organisations.
Businesses can apply for grants between £150,000 and £200,000. The funding is available for projects that last six to nine months, starting by 1 July 2025, and ending by 31 March 2026. The project must be carried out in the UK.
Innovate UK welcomes applications from businesses working with others in their region and across the creative sector. Areas of interest include:
- sustainability in the screen sector
- music innovation and fan engagement tools
- managing copyright in digital media
- new possibilities in visual effects (VFX)
- modernising design and craft practices
- improving transparency in online advertising
These are only examples, and Innovate UK encourages proposals from all areas of the creative industries.
The competition closes on 29 January 2025.
Successful projects must support the growth of UK creative industries, show clear innovation, address industry challenges, and have the potential to create new revenue streams.
Find out more and apply to the Collaborative R&D: Creative Catalyst.
First published 9 December 2024