CoSTAR Showcase Labs: Createch infrastructure and commercialisation

The CoSTAR Showcase Labs funding opportunity will support the establishment of national R&D infrastructure for the creative sector, delivering Showcase Labs that reduce barriers to creative businesses’ technology adoption and improve commercialisation support. AHRC, via DCMS’s Createch Futures programme, will fund up to two Showcase Labs (up to £4 million each) to resource equipment, technology, staff, utilities and access programmes over three years. Successful consortia will design and fit out creative R&D facilities co-sited with screen production or performance organisations and deliver industry-facing access and commercialisation pathways.

Up to £4 million per Showcase Lab to fund equipment, technology, staff, utilities and an access programme to support SME utilisation and commercialisation; network integration with CoSTAR and access programmes including a Virtual Compute Lab.

The application must be led by a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding and include at least one commercial/industry co-location partner and one local or combined authority or equivalent. Individual leads must be UK residents employed by or formally affiliated with an eligible organisation, hold a doctorate or demonstrate equivalent professional experience, and have an outstanding track record in strategic delivery of major capital or R&D programmes for screen and performance sectors.

Lead organisations apply via the UKRI funding service portal and must form consortia meeting required partner composition and provide evidence of industry support and co-investment.