# A Guide for the Commercialisation of Creative Industries Research **Funder:** AHRC **Budget:** Up to £250,000 (100% FEC) **Deadline:** 15 October 2026 (4:00pm UK time) **Duration:** 12 months **Consortium:** Required — lead research organisation plus partners with direct experience of translating creative industries research into commercial ventures and investors/investment-facing organisations **Application:** Single stage **Frequency:** One-off **Eligible countries:** GB **Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/a-guide-for-the-commercialisation-of-creative-industries-research/ **Last verified:** 29 July 2026 ## Eligibility & scope Seeks a sector-led partnership to develop a CI-specific USIT-style commercialisation guide for UK universities. Lead organisation must be a UK research organisation registered on the UKRI Funding Service. Partners must include organisations with proven CI commercialisation experience and investors. Projects must start by 1 April 2027. In collaboration with Research England. ## Summary The AHRC Guide for the Commercialisation of Creative Industries Research funds up to £250,000 to develop a sector-led toolkit for commercialising creative research in UK universities. The call requires consortia of universities, creative industries experts, and investors to co-design practical guidance modelled on USIT. This is a one-off call with a single 12-month project cycle. ## Who should apply - UK research organisations able to convene university partners and non-academic stakeholders - Lead applicants with existing networks in creative industries commercialisation - Consortia that include universities, creative industries practitioners, and investor representatives - Applicants prepared to coordinate in-kind contributions from multiple partners ## Key dates - Deadline 15 October 2026, 16:00 UK time - Single-stage application and assessment - 12-month project, must start by 1 April 2027 ## Tips for applicants - Lead with partnership depth, not just research credentials, the panel assesses your ability to bridge university and industry practice. - In-kind contributions from partners (not cash matched funding) signal genuine buy-in; itemise them clearly in the budget narrative. - Frame the output as a usable toolkit for university teams, not a research paper, AHRC wants practical guidance replicating the USIT model's reach and adoption. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the budget for the AHRC Creative Industries Commercialisation Guide? Up to £250,000 full economic cost (FEC). Matched funding from host institutions is not required, but in-kind contributions from consortium partners are expected. ### Who must be on the consortium for this call? The lead organisation must be a UK research organisation; the consortium must include universities, organisations with creative industries commercialisation expertise, and investor representatives. ### When is the deadline for the Creative Industries Commercialisation Guide? 15 October 2026 at 16:00 UK time. Projects must start by 1 April 2027. ### Is this call recurring? No, this is a one-off call with a single application round. There is no indication of a repeat cycle. --- Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ahrc-a-guide-for-the-commercialisation-of-creative-indu-2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying. **See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md).