# CoSTAR Satellite Labs

**Funder:** AHRC
**Budget:** Up to £2M (FEC), AHRC funds 80% FEC, excluding minimum 50% third-party match funding
**Deadline:** 29 October 2026 (16:00 UK time)
**Duration:** 3 years from April 2027
**Consortium:** Required — lead organisation plus at least one commercial/industry co-location partner and one local or combined authority/economic development body or enterprise agency
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/costar-satellite-labs-accessible-creative-rd-infrastructure/
**Last updated:** 25 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Expansion of AHRC's CoSTAR programme funding Satellite Labs for creative R&D infrastructure in screen and performance industries, co-sited with a screen production facility, studio or performance company. UK-only; international collaborations not eligible; requires minimum 50% third-party match funding.

## Summary

CoSTAR Satellite Labs, funded by AHRC, supports the creation of creative R&D infrastructure co-sited with a screen production facility, studio or performance company in the UK. Up to £2M full economic cost is available, with AHRC covering 80% and applicants required to secure at least 50% third-party match funding. This is a one-off, UK-only call expanding the existing CoSTAR programme, requiring a consortium of a lead organisation, an industry co-location partner, and a local or combined authority, economic development body or enterprise agency.

## Who should apply

- UK-based organisations able to lead a multi-partner consortium
- Applicants able to co-site a lab with a screen production facility, studio or performance company
- Organisations able to secure a commercial or industry co-location partner
- Teams with a local/combined authority, economic development body or enterprise agency partner
- Applicants able to raise at least 50% third-party match funding

## Key dates

- Deadline 29 October 2026, 16:00 UK time
- Single-stage application
- Three-year project duration starting April 2027
- One-off call (not recurring)

## Tips for applicants

- Secure and document the 50% third-party match funding commitment early, as this is a hard eligibility requirement, not just a scoring factor.
- Line up both required consortium partners, the commercial/industry co-location partner and the local or combined authority/economic development body, before drafting, since the consortium structure is fixed by the call.
- International collaborations are explicitly ineligible, so keep the project scope and partnerships UK-only throughout the application.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the CoSTAR Satellite Labs grant pay?

Up to £2 million full economic cost, with AHRC funding 80% of FEC and the remainder covered by a minimum 50% third-party match funding requirement.

### Who can apply for CoSTAR Satellite Labs?

UK-based lead organisations forming a consortium with at least one commercial/industry co-location partner and one local or combined authority, economic development body or enterprise agency.

### Can international partners be part of a CoSTAR Satellite Labs application?

No, the call is UK-only and international collaborations are not eligible.

### When does the CoSTAR Satellite Labs project start and how long does it run?

Funded projects run for three years starting in April 2027.

### Is CoSTAR Satellite Labs a recurring call?

No, this is a one-off call with a single application stage and a deadline of 29 October 2026 at 16:00 UK time.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ahrc-costar-satellite-labs-2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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