Open Call: CoSTAR Satellite Labs Accessible Creative R/D Infrastructure Program (UK)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) are inviting eligible UK research organisations to lead consortia in establishing CoSTAR Satellite Labs for creative research and development in the screen and performance industries. Each lab can receive up to £2 million, with a requirement for at least 50% third-party match funding, to develop advanced R&D facilities, support innovation and commercialisation, and strengthen regional access to creative technology.

About the CoSTAR Satellite Labs Initiative

The CoSTAR Satellite Labs initiative expands the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s national creative research infrastructure network.

The programme is funded through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Createch Futures programme and aims to strengthen the UK’s screen and performance industries through research, innovation, technology development, and commercialisation.

Satellite Labs will connect regional creative industries with the CoSTAR National Lab and wider network, helping organisations access advanced research capabilities and emerging technologies.

The initiative is particularly relevant to developments in areas such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), creative technology, screen production, performance, and digital innovation.

What Are CoSTAR Satellite Labs?

Satellite Labs are intended to be state-of-the-art creative R&D facilities that are co-located with screen production or performance companies.

Each lab will:

Provide advanced facilities for creative R&D.
Work with the CoSTAR National Lab and wider network.
Coordinate research and development programmes.
Support knowledge exchange.
Help commercialise research and innovation.
Provide enterprise and business development functions.
Manage facilities and staff for three years.
Develop strategies for attracting long-term external investment.
Support regional access to creative research infrastructure.

The labs are expected to strengthen connections between research organisations, creative businesses, industry, and regional economic development bodies.

Funding Available

The programme provides up to £2 million per Satellite Lab.

A total of £4 million is available across the competition.

Applicants must secure third-party match funding equivalent to at least 50% of the amount requested.

For example, an applicant requesting £2 million would need to demonstrate at least £1 million in eligible third-party match funding.

AHRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost (FEC), excluding pledged third-party match funding.

Project Duration and Start Date

Funded projects will run for three years.

Projects must begin by 31 May 2027.

During this period, successful consortia will be expected to establish and operate the Satellite Lab, deliver R&D activities, collaborate across the CoSTAR network, and develop a sustainable model for the facility beyond the grant period.

Who Is Eligible?

The lead applicant must be a UK-based research organisation eligible for AHRC funding.

The lead organisation must form a 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 establish a successful creative R&D facility.

Applicants must also demonstrate:

A strong track record in Createch research and innovation.
Experience relevant to the screen or performance industries.
Capacity to manage a major collaborative research infrastructure project.
Ability to secure significant third-party co-investment.
Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Capacity to develop long-term sustainability for the Satellite Lab.

What Is Createch?

Createch refers to the intersection of creative industries and technology.

In this programme, Createch can involve the application of emerging technologies and research methods to creative sectors such as:

Film and screen production.
Television and digital media.
Theatre and live performance.
Creative technology.
Generative AI.
Digital production.
Immersive experiences.
Research commercialisation.

Satellite Labs are intended to help turn research and technological innovation into practical applications for the UK’s creative industries.

What Will Satellite Labs Do?

The facilities will have several interconnected functions.

Creative Research and Development

Labs will provide infrastructure for experimentation, testing, prototyping, and applied research relevant to screen and performance.

Industry Collaboration

Co-location with commercial or industry partners will help ensure that research responds to real-world creative and commercial challenges.

Knowledge Exchange

Satellite Labs will connect researchers, creative practitioners, businesses, and other stakeholders to share expertise and research outcomes.

Commercialisation

The initiative aims to help move research discoveries and creative technologies toward market applications and commercial opportunities.

Regional Innovation

By establishing facilities outside the core national infrastructure, the programme aims to improve regional access to advanced creative R&D capabilities.

Sustainability and Co-Investment

Long-term sustainability is a central requirement of the initiative.

Satellite Labs will operate with grant support for three years but are expected to develop models for attracting external co-investment and sustaining their activities beyond the initial funding period.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate:

Existing industry relationships.
Capacity to attract investment.
A credible financial sustainability strategy.
Potential commercial applications.
Long-term demand for the facility.
Strong regional economic development connections.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

This should be reflected in the design and delivery of the Satellite Lab, partnerships, participation opportunities, recruitment, and access to creative R&D infrastructure.

International Collaboration

International collaborations are not eligible under this scheme.

The initiative is focused on strengthening UK-based creative R&D infrastructure, regional innovation, and connections across the UK creative industries ecosystem.

How to Apply

Step 1: Establish Lead Organisation Eligibility

Confirm that your organisation is a UK-based research organisation eligible for AHRC funding.

Step 2: Build the Required Consortium

Identify and secure the required partners, including:

A commercial or industry co-location partner.
A local or combined authority, or equivalent economic development body.

Step 3: Develop the Satellite Lab Proposal

Explain the purpose, location, facilities, research priorities, industry relationships, and expected outcomes of the proposed lab.

Step 4: Demonstrate Createch Expertise

Provide evidence of your consortium’s track record in creative technology, research, innovation, and relevant industry collaboration.

Step 5: Secure Match Funding

Develop a credible plan for obtaining third-party match funding of at least 50% of the requested grant amount.

Step 6: Present a Sustainability Strategy

Explain how the Satellite Lab will attract external investment and continue operating after the three-year funding period.

Step 7: Address EDI

Demonstrate how equality, diversity, and inclusion will be embedded across the project.

Step 8: Submit the Application

Complete the required UKRI/AHRC application process and provide the requested evidence of partnerships, funding, research capability, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Application Tips

Applicants should consider the following when developing their proposals:

Clearly define the regional need for the Satellite Lab.
Demonstrate strong connections with screen or performance industries.
Show how the facility complements the existing CoSTAR network.
Provide evidence of previous Createch research and innovation.
Explain how emerging technologies such as generative AI could support future R&D.
Provide a realistic infrastructure and operating plan.
Demonstrate the value of third-party investment.
Include measurable research, industry, economic, and commercial outcomes.
Develop a credible post-grant sustainability model.
Clearly explain how the project will support equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Key Grant Details

Programme: CoSTAR Satellite Labs
Funders: UKRI and AHRC
Country: United Kingdom
Maximum grant: £2 million per Satellite Lab
Total funding: £4 million
Match funding: At least 50% of requested funding
Project duration: Three years
Start deadline: 31 May 2027
Focus: Creative R&D infrastructure
Target sectors: Screen and performance industries
Lead applicant: Eligible UK research organisation
Required consortium: Industry/commercial partner plus local or combined authority/economic development body
International collaborations: Not eligible

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CoSTAR Satellite Labs initiative?

It is an AHRC-led expansion of the UK’s creative research infrastructure designed to establish advanced R&D facilities for the screen and performance industries and connect them with the wider CoSTAR network.

How much funding can each Satellite Lab receive?

Each Satellite Lab can receive up to £2 million. The overall funding available through the initiative is £4 million.

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.

What partners must be included in the consortium?

The consortium must include at least one commercial or industry co-location partner and one local or combined authority or equivalent economic development body.

Can international organisations participate?

No. International collaborations are not eligible under this scheme.

When must projects start and how long will they last?

Projects must start by 31 May 2027 and will run for three years.

Conclusion

The CoSTAR Satellite Labs initiative offers significant funding to strengthen the UK’s creative R&D infrastructure and accelerate innovation across the screen and performance industries. With up to £2 million available per lab, successful applicants will need to demonstrate strong Createch expertise, industry and regional partnerships, substantial co-investment, a clear research and commercialisation strategy, and a credible plan for long-term sustainability beyond the three-year funding period.