This challenge is helping to grow the £100 billion-a-year UK creative economy by supporting clusters of creative research and development across the country.
It has invested in:
- nine creative industries clusters that bring together creatives (in fashion, film and television, informatics, design, computer games, performance and immersive technology) with the brightest academic minds
- the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, which will help development of policies for UK creative industries.
Find funding opportunities
You can use our funding finder to search for UKRI Challenge Fund funding and any wider opportunities related to creative industries.
You can also hear about open funding calls by connecting with the relevant cluster.
Our funding opportunities may fund research and development projects that are classed as feasibility studies, industrial research or experimental development.
For feasibility studies and industrial research projects, the following intervention rates may apply:
- up to 70% if you are a micro or small organisation
- up to 60% if you are a medium-sized organisation
- up to 50% if you are a large organisation
For experimental development projects which are nearer to market, the following intervention rates may apply:
- up to 45% if you are a micro or small organisation
- up to 35% if you are a medium-sized organisation
- up to 25% if you are a large organisation
Capital costs may be funded through some funding opportunities with intervention rates of up to 80%.
The clusters
Bristol + Bath Creative R&D
Supporting screen and performance industries in the Bristol and Bath region by helping them adapt to emerging technologies.
Learn about Bristol + Bath Creative R&D.
Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology
Focusing on delivering innovation within the entire fashion and textile creative production and supply chain.
Learn about Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology.
Clwstwr
Focusing on sustaining and growing media production in the Cardiff city area and across Wales. Creates platforms for independent companies, SMEs, micro-businesses and freelancers to compete with global media companies.
Creative Informatics
Supporting Edinburgh’s creative industries by increasing the number of businesses and creative entrepreneurs who can confidently innovate with data.
Learn about Creative Informatics.
Future Fashion Factory
Combining new digital and textile technologies within the fashion design process. This is transforming the UK fashion industry’s capacity for new product innovation and reduces lead times and waste.
Learn about Future Fashion Factory.
Future Screens NI
Delivering expert technical skills, opportunity and growth across film and broadcast, animation, games and immersive technologies and industries in Northern Ireland.
Learn about Future Screens NI.
InGAME
Establishing a dedicated creative research and development centre within Dundee’s games cluster. Is aiming to driving product, service, and experience innovation across the industry.
StoryFutures
Providing a research and development base for screen industries building on innovations in immersive technologies, data-driven personalisation, smart devices and AI.
XR Stories
Using the latest digital technologies to develop innovative and commercially viable models for the next generation of screen storytelling.
Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
This research centre is led by the innovation foundation Nesta and involves a UK-wide consortium of universities. It provides independent research and advice that will aid the development of policies for the UK’s creative industries.
Last updated: 17 February 2023