# Immersive Arts Phase Two

**Funder:** AHRC (UKRI)
**Budget:** £8.35 million
**Duration:** 3 years
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 5 partners across the UK (hub + 4 regionally dispersed partners including at least 2 in England, 1 in Northern Ireland, 1 in Scotland, 1 in Wales)
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/immersive-arts-phase-two-invite-only/
**Last verified:** 4 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Invite-only call for a consortium to deliver Phase 2 of the Immersive Arts Programme (creative immersive technologies R&D) across the UK. Minimum 55% of budget must be distributed as devolved awards to external organisations/individuals. Consortium partners are ineligible to apply for devolved funding. Open to cultural, creative industry, commercial and research sector organisations with standard UKRI eligibility.

## Summary

The Immersive Arts Phase Two call offers £8.35 million over three years to a lead UK consortium delivering the second phase of AHRC's immersive arts programme, focused on creative immersive technology R&D. This is an invite-only call; eligible applicants will receive an application link by email. The programme requires a minimum five-partner consortium spanning the UK (hub plus four regionally dispersed partners covering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales), and mandates that at least 55% of funding flow to devolved awards for external creative, cultural, and research organisations.

## Who should apply

- A lead consortium with a UK hub institution and four regionally dispersed partners (minimum: 2 in England, 1 in Northern Ireland, 1 in Scotland, 1 in Wales)
- Cultural, creative industry, commercial and research sector organisations eligible under standard UKRI criteria
- Applicants who receive an invite-only application link via email
- Consortia with established networks and delivery capacity across the four UK nations

## Key dates

- Invite-only; application link distributed via email to eligible consortia
- Projects must start by 1 February 2027
- Three-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- At least 55% of the total budget must be reserved as devolved awards to external organisations or individuals; consortium partners cannot compete for this funding. Plan your budget split and identify target devolved beneficiaries early.
- Consortium geography is a gating requirement: ensure you have confirmed partners across all four nations and can demonstrate regional dispersal before submitting.
- This is a one-off call for Phase Two delivery; position your consortium as the delivery vehicle for AHRC's immersive arts strategy, not a traditional research project.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Immersive Arts Phase Two call open to all researchers?

No, this is an invite-only call; eligible organisations will receive an application link by email from UKRI.

### How much is the Immersive Arts Phase Two budget?

£8.35 million total over three years, with a minimum 55% distributed as devolved awards to external organisations and individuals.

### What are the consortium requirements for Immersive Arts Phase Two?

A minimum five-partner consortium is required: a hub institution plus four regionally dispersed partners with at least 2 in England, 1 in Northern Ireland, 1 in Scotland, and 1 in Wales.

### Can consortium partners apply for the devolved funding in Immersive Arts Phase Two?

No, consortium partners are ineligible to apply for devolved awards; only external organisations and individuals may compete for that portion of funding.

### When does the Immersive Arts Phase Two project need to start?

Projects must commence by 1 February 2027.

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