AHRC
A Guide for the Commercialisation of Creative Industries Research
4:00pm UK time
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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.
Details
| Funder | AHRC |
| Budget | Up to £250,000 (100% FEC) |
| Deadline | 15 October 2026 |
| 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 |
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.
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.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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