UK Research and Innovation (AHRC)

CoSTAR Showcase Labs: Createch infrastructure and commercialisation

AHRC funding, from DCMS's Createch Futures programme, to set up and run up to two CoSTAR Showcase Labs: near-market (TRL 6 to 9) creative R&D facilities co-sited with a screen production facility, studio or performance company, acting as hubs to connect creative technology businesses with investors and demonstrate new technologies. Bids must be led by a UKRI-eligible research organisation heading a consortium with at least one industry co-location partner and one local or combined authority or equivalent. Each lab can cost up to £4 million full economic cost over three years (AHRC pays 80%), and partners must pledge third-party match funding of at least 50% of the FEC requested.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £1 – £4,000,000
Closes in: 11 days left; 29 October
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Open to organisations with standard UKRI eligibility
The bid must be led by a UKRI-eligible research organisation heading a partnership or consortium that includes at least one commercial or industry co-location partner and one local or combined authority, or equivalent economic development body or enterprise agency, with proof of wider local industry support delivering significant co-investment
Businesses and third sector organisations not eligible for a direct grant can take part and receive funding as collaborators or partners
The project lead must be UK resident, employed at or formally affiliated with a UKRI-eligible organisation, hold a doctorate or equivalent experience, be of professorial or equivalent standing in creative industries research and innovation, and have an outstanding track record of delivering major capital or R&D programmes for the screen and performance sectors
Organisations without expertise in screen and performance R&D and creative technology should not apply
Lead bidders may bid for both a Showcase and a Satellite Lab; other organisations may partner on at most four bids across both
Existing CoSTAR grant holders can apply, but geographic spread is considered
Third-party match funding of at least 50% of the FEC requested is required

What it funds

Design and fit-out of state-of-the-art creative R&D facilities, including technology infrastructure; these may be a refurbishment or extension of an existing facility and must be co-sited with a screen production facility, studio or performance company
Near-market research and innovation (TRLs six to nine) serving an identified geographic or sectoral community, acting as a hub to drive investment in and adoption of new creative technologies, companies, experiences, applications and products
Collaborating with the CoSTAR National Lab and network on coordinated R&D programmes and disseminating research outcomes
Contributing to demonstrator or pilot programmes with the National Lab
Providing access to knowledge exchange, commercialisation and enterprise functions for CoSTAR Network partners
Managing the R&D laboratory facilities, including staff resourcing, for three years
Developing and implementing a model to secure external co-investment for long-term financial sustainability

Showcase Labs should be able to act as a central presentation environment for industry and investment events and as a performance or audience venue for immersive experiences, and be run by a body or partnership able to connect businesses with investors. The programme primarily funds equipment, technology, staff, utilities and an access programme for SMEs.

What it will not fund

International collaborations; the opportunity is concerned with the UK context only

How to apply

Make sure your research organisation is registered on the UKRI Funding Service (Je-S is not used)
Build the consortium, including the industry co-location partner and local or combined authority, and secure written match funding commitments
Start an application on the UKRI Funding Service (https://funding-service.ukri.org/OPP1224/apply/1255) and confirm you are the project lead
Answer the questions: summary, core team, vision, approach, applicant and team capability (R4RI narrative), ethics and RRI, resources and cost justification, sustainability, IP management and communication, discipline classifications and Trusted Research and Innovation
Send the application to your research office; they submit it to AHRC by 4pm on 29 October 2026
If shortlisted at the assessment panel, attend an interview, expected in the week commencing 25 January 2027

the webinar on 15 September 2026 has passed; application development surgeries were offered mainly for leads new to large AHRC infrastructure grants. The application is shared with DCMS.

Have ready

Optional Gantt chart: one page, maximum A3, in the approach section
Optional site or planning charts, drawings or internal layouts: up to two pages
Supporting commitments from providers of third-party match funding

the rest of the application is answered in Funding Service text boxes.

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