# Expanding Access to Creative Sector R&D Infrastructure (CoSTAR Createch Futures Lot 1) **Funder:** AHRC **Budget:** Up to £2M (Satellite Labs) / Up to £4M (Showcase Labs) FEC; AHRC funds 80% of FEC; minimum 50% Third Party Match Funding required **Duration:** 3 years from April 2027 **Consortium:** Required — UKRI-eligible lead organisation plus at least 1 commercial/industry co-location partner and 1 local/combined authority or equivalent economic development body; wider industry co-investment also required **TRL:** 6-9 **Frequency:** One-off **Eligible countries:** GB **Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/pre-announcement-expanding-access-to-creative-sector-rd-infrastructure/ **Last verified:** 2 August 2026 ## Eligibility & scope UK-only call (international collaborations ineligible). Funds design and fit-out of creative R&D labs (Showcase and Satellite) focused on screen and performance sectors at TRL 6-9. Lead must be UKRI-eligible, UK-resident, with professorial-level track record in creative industries R&D. Minimum 50% Third Party Match Funding required. Up to 4 grants awarded (max 2 Showcase, max 2 Satellite Labs). ## Summary The AHRC CoSTAR Createch Futures Lot 1 funds design and fit-out of creative R&D laboratories for screen and performance sectors, with budgets up to £2 million (Satellite Labs) or £4 million (Showcase Labs) at full economic cost; AHRC covers 80% of eligible costs, requiring a minimum 50% third-party match. Applications are restricted to UK-based consortia led by a UKRI-eligible organisation with academic partners, commercial co-location partners, and local/combined authority involvement. This is a one-off call supporting technology-readiness levels 6-9, with projects commencing April 2027. ## Who should apply - UK UKRI-eligible institutions with professorial-level leadership in creative industries research - Consortia including commercial co-location partners and local/combined authority economic development bodies - Organisations with established screen and performance sector innovation pipelines at TRL 6-9 - Partners able to secure 50% third-party match funding from industry, local authorities, or equivalent sources ## Key dates - Call opens 24 August 2026; deadline to be confirmed on the AHRC portal - Projects must start by 31 May 2027, with three-year duration from April 2027 - Up to four grants awarded: maximum two Showcase Labs, maximum two Satellite Labs ## Tips for applicants - This is infrastructure-led funding; the proposal must foreground the lab design, equipment procurement, and operational readiness as much as the research pipeline. - The 50% third-party match is mandatory and non-negotiable; secure co-investment pledges from commercial partners and local development bodies early, and document them in detailed letters of commitment. - Consortium composition is gatekeeping: applications missing a named commercial co-location partner or local/combined authority commitment will not pass triage. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does the AHRC CoSTAR Createch Futures award? Up to £2 million for Satellite Labs or up to £4 million for Showcase Labs at full economic cost; AHRC funds 80% and you must secure minimum 50% third-party match funding. ### Who is eligible to lead a CoSTAR Createch Futures application? UK-based UKRI-eligible organisations with professorial-level leadership in creative industries R&D, hosting a consortium that includes commercial co-location partners and local or combined authority economic development bodies. ### Is the AHRC CoSTAR Createch Futures a recurring call? No, this is a one-off call; the call opens 24 August 2026 and projects must commence by 31 May 2027. ### What is meant by TRL 6-9 in the CoSTAR Createch Futures call? The funding supports screen and performance research at technology-readiness levels 6-9, from pilot demonstration through to full-scale commercial deployment; fundamental research below TRL 6 is ineligible. ### Can international collaborators join a CoSTAR Createch Futures consortium? No, this is a UK-only call; the lead organisation must be UK-based and international collaborations are ineligible. --- Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ahrc-expanding-access-to-creative-sector-r-d-infrastruc-2026) — 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).