CoSTAR Satellite Labs: Accessible creative R&D infrastructure (Grant)
UK Research and Innovation, Arts and Humanities Research Council
Award
Up to £2m
Total fund Up to £4m
Deadline
Closes 29 October 2026
Where
UK-wide
Summary
Join the CoSTAR Network and host national infrastructure for creative sector research and development. Reduce barriers to creative businesses’ technology adoption and support commercialisation, scale up and investment for creative tech businesses. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding.
Who can apply
This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible . Organisations, such as businesses or third sector organisations, that are not eligible to receive a direct grant may participate and receive funding as collaborators or partners. Who is eligible to apply The application must be led by a UK Research and Innovation eligible organisation at the head of partnerships or consortia, including at least: one commercial or industry co-location partner one local or combined authority or equivalent economic development body or enterprise agency You must also be able to demonstrate proof of wider industry support and collaboration locally that will deliver significant co-investment from the private, public or third sectors. AHRC will award a maximum of four grants: up to two Showcase Labs and two Satellite Labs. Lead bidders may submit for both a Showcase Lab and a Satellite Lab. Other organisations may partner with a maximum of four bids across both Showcase and Satellite Labs. Lead bidders that already hold grants under the CoSTAR programme lots one, two and three can apply to this funding opportunity. However, the final funding decision will take portfolio balance into account, including geographic spread of both new labs and the original CoSTAR labs. Individual eligibility To lead an application for this funding opportunity, you must: be a resident in the UK be employed at, or have a formal affiliation with an organisation eligible to receive UKRI funding under standard eligibility criteria (see eligibility criteria listed earlier in this section) have a doctorate or demonstrate equivalent professional experience or training have an outstanding track record of strategic planning and delivery of major capital or R&D and innovation programmes for the screen and performance sectors have or be able to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders from the creative research community, screen (film, TV, games) and performance sectors government and the wider creative industries be engaged in leading-edge research and innovation of professorial or equivalent standing applicable to the creative industries demonstrate a level of skills, knowledge and experience appropriate to the nature of the project You should not apply if your organisation has limited knowledge or does not have expertise in R&D and innovation in the screen and performance industries and in technology related to the creative industries. For further information on eligibility see AHRC’s research funding guide . Who is not eligible to apply This funding opportunity is concerned with the UK context only. International collaborations are not eligible under this scheme. Equality, diversity and inclusion We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers. We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes: career breaks support for people with caring responsibilities flexible working alternative working patterns UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.
Full details
Join the Convergent Screen Technologies and performance in Realtime (CoSTAR) Network and host national research and development (R&D) infrastructure for the creative sector. You will reduce barriers to creative businesses’ technology adoption, improve commercialisation support for creative technology businesses and drive scale up and investment. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding. Over three years, via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)’s Createch Futures programme, AHRC will fund up to two Satellite Labs up to £2 million each.