Deadline: 29-Oct-2026
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) are offering up to £4 million per Showcase Lab to establish advanced creative R&D facilities for the UK’s screen and performance industries. The programme supports near-market innovation, commercialisation, technology adoption, and SME access, with applicants required to secure third-party match funding of at least 50% of the requested amount.
About the CoSTAR Showcase Labs Grant
The CoSTAR Showcase Labs initiative expands AHRC’s national creative research infrastructure network through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Createch Futures programme.
The initiative aims to strengthen the UK’s capacity for creative technology research, innovation, and commercialisation, particularly within the screen and performance industries.
Successful consortia will establish state-of-the-art facilities where researchers, creative businesses, and industry partners can develop and demonstrate new technologies, products, and experiences.
Objectives of the Programme
The Showcase Labs are intended to:
- Drive innovation in screen and performance industries.
- Strengthen UK creative technology infrastructure.
- Support research and innovation close to market.
- Encourage commercialisation of research.
- Increase investment in creative technologies.
- Accelerate adoption of new creative products and experiences.
- Provide SMEs with access to advanced R&D facilities.
- Build stronger connections between research and industry.
- Coordinate activities with the wider CoSTAR network.
What Are Showcase Labs?
Showcase Labs will operate as specialist hubs for near-market research and innovation, particularly activities at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 6–9.
The facilities will be designed and equipped to support the development, testing, demonstration, and adoption of creative technologies.
They will work alongside the CoSTAR National Lab and wider network to:
- Coordinate R&D programmes.
- Share research findings.
- Support knowledge exchange.
- Facilitate commercialisation.
- Provide enterprise support.
- Enable industry and SME engagement.
- Demonstrate emerging creative technologies.
Funding Available
Each successful Showcase Lab can receive up to £4 million.
The programme has a total funding pool of £8 million, indicating the potential to support up to two Showcase Labs at the maximum award level.
Applicants must secure third-party match funding equivalent to at least 50% of the amount requested.
For example, an applicant requesting the maximum £4 million would need to demonstrate at least £2 million in eligible third-party match funding.
What Can the Funding Support?
The three-year award is primarily intended to support the development and operation of the Showcase Lab infrastructure.
Funding can support areas including:
- Specialist equipment.
- Creative technologies.
- Staff.
- Utilities.
- Facility-related costs.
- Access programmes.
- SME utilisation of the facilities.
- Activities that support R&D and commercialisation.
The investment is intended to create infrastructure that can deliver long-term benefits beyond the initial funding period.
AHRC Funding Contribution
AHRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost, with pledged third-party match funding excluded from this calculation.
Applicants must therefore demonstrate both the financial capacity and partnership strength necessary to deliver the proposed infrastructure and sustain its impact.
Who Can Apply?
The lead applicant must be a UK-based research organisation eligible for AHRC funding.
The lead organisation must establish a partnership or consortium that includes:
- At least one commercial or industry co-location partner.
- At least one local authority, combined authority, or equivalent economic development body.
The consortium should demonstrate the expertise and partnerships necessary to develop and operate a major creative R&D facility.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- A strong track record in Createch research and innovation.
- Experience delivering impactful R&D.
- Capacity to establish and manage advanced research infrastructure.
- Ability to secure significant third-party co-investment.
- Strong relationships with creative industries.
- Capacity to support SME access and utilisation.
- Potential to generate meaningful economic and creative-sector impact.
Role of Industry Partners
Industry participation is a core element of the Showcase Labs model.
Commercial and creative-sector partners should help ensure that research is connected to real-world industry needs and opportunities for commercialisation.
The co-location model is intended to bring researchers and industry closer together, enabling faster development and adoption of new technologies.
Support for SMEs
A key feature of the programme is providing SMEs with access to the Showcase Labs.
The facilities should create opportunities for smaller creative businesses to use advanced infrastructure that they may not otherwise be able to access.
This can help SMEs:
- Test new technologies.
- Develop prototypes and products.
- Conduct near-market R&D.
- Explore commercial applications.
- Collaborate with researchers.
- Demonstrate innovative creative experiences.
Project Duration
Showcase Lab awards will run for three years.
During this period, successful consortia will be responsible for developing and operating their facilities while coordinating with the wider CoSTAR network.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should clearly demonstrate why their proposed Showcase Lab is needed and how it will strengthen the UK’s creative technology ecosystem.
A strong proposal should:
- Identify a clear infrastructure and industry need.
- Explain the proposed technology and R&D capabilities.
- Demonstrate expertise in Createch innovation.
- Clearly describe the role of the industry co-location partner.
- Explain the involvement of the local or combined authority.
- Provide a credible plan for securing match funding.
- Demonstrate how SMEs will access and benefit from the facility.
- Explain pathways from research to commercialisation.
- Set out measurable economic, creative, and research impacts.
- Demonstrate how the facility will collaborate with the CoSTAR network.
- Provide a credible plan for long-term sustainability.
Key Grant Details
- Programme: CoSTAR Showcase Labs
- Funders: UKRI and AHRC
- Strategic programme: Createch Futures
- Maximum grant: £4 million per Showcase Lab
- Total fund: £8 million
- Match funding: At least 50% of the requested amount
- Duration: Three years
- Research focus: Near-market innovation, TRLs 6–9
- Sector focus: Screen and performance industries
- Lead applicants: UK-based AHRC-eligible research organisations
- Required partners: Industry/commercial co-location partner and local or combined authority/economic development body
- Primary uses: Equipment, technology, staff, utilities, access programmes, R&D and SME engagement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CoSTAR Showcase Labs programme?
It is an AHRC initiative designed to establish advanced creative R&D facilities supporting innovation and commercialisation in the UK’s screen and performance industries.
How much funding is available?
Each Showcase Lab can receive up to £4 million, with £8 million available in total.
Is match funding required?
Yes. Applicants must secure third-party match funding equivalent to at least 50% of the requested amount.
Who can lead an application?
The lead applicant must be a UK-based research organisation eligible for AHRC funding.
Are industry partners required?
Yes. Each consortium must include at least one commercial or industry co-location partner.
Is a local authority required?
Yes. The partnership must also include a local authority, combined authority, or equivalent economic development body.
What type of research is supported?
The programme focuses on near-market R&D and innovation at TRLs 6–9, with an emphasis on technologies, products, and experiences that can progress toward commercial adoption.
How long will Showcase Lab projects run?
The funding supports a three-year period.
Conclusion
The CoSTAR Showcase Labs grant represents a major investment in UK creative technology infrastructure, offering up to £4 million per successful lab. The programme is particularly suited to strong research-industry partnerships capable of combining advanced R&D facilities with commercialisation, SME access, and regional economic development. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate substantial Createch expertise, credible match funding, strong industry and public-sector partnerships, and a clear pathway for delivering long-term impact across the UK’s screen and performance industries.
For more information, visit UKRI.