Creative industries to benefit from funding boost
UKRI’s investments will support research and innovation across the sector.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced creative industries investments that will support research and innovation across the sector, from film, TV and gaming to fashion and heritage.
These investments were announced as part of the launch of the government’s Creative Industries Sector Vision. The vision sets out the government’s ambition to maximise the growth of the creative industries by an extra £50 billion by 2030.
Pinewood Studios, the British Film Institute (BFI) and Northern Ireland Screen are among the partners at projects sharing £75.6 million.
The funding comes from the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) Convergent Screen Technologies And performance in Realtime (CoSTAR) network to boost the UK’s screen and performance sectors.
Further funding
Simultaneously, at least £50 million of further funding is going to renew the Creative Industries Clusters Programme (CICP).
CICP supports UK-wide investment in new clusters covering new sectors in new areas, and builds the bridge to a sustainable successor programme.
Funding will also be available from Innovate UK to boost innovation in the creative industries.
Funding for heritage infrastructure
AHRC will deliver £80 million for heritage infrastructure projects through the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme.
A funding opportunity for applications will open on Tuesday 11 July 2023.
CoSTAR network
As part of the CoSTAR network, there will be three network labs based in Wakefield, Belfast and Dundee.
Each will specialise in a different area of innovation. From virtual production in live performance in Yorkshire, to world-class computer games R&D at Abertay University and advanced technology film production at Studio Ulster.
The funding for CoSTAR is subject to full business case approval.
Creative Catalyst
Innovate UK has also announced a new partnership between the Creative Catalyst programme and Creative UK. This new partnership will engage with key senior industry stakeholders and create exciting funding opportunities for small and micro businesses to address important industry challenges.
Innovate UK has also announced that the first Creative Catalyst sector-specific competition will focus on MusicTech. The £1 million competition will launch later in the year, with a scope which has been co-designed by industry.
Read more on UKRI creative funding opportunities.
First published 3 July 2023