UK–Ireland collaboration in the creative economy: research networking awards
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) · International
Grant funding to support research networking activities between researchers, practitioners and industry partners across the UK and Ireland focused on the creative economy. The programme aims to build partnerships, support knowledge exchange and strengthen collaboration between creative economy research communities.
Summary
Deadline
24 Mar 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Grant funding to support research networking activities between researchers, practitioners and industry partners across the UK and Ireland focused on the creative economy. The programme aims to build partnerships, support knowledge exchange and strengthen collaboration between creative economy research communities.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Not specified
Business size
SME
Industries
Creative economy sectors including advertising and marketing, architecture, crafts, design, film, TV, video, radio and photography, IT and software including digital games, publishing, museums and galleries, and music, performing and visual arts.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Independent investigators based at organisations eligible to apply to AHRC in the UK and eligible research bodies in Ireland. UK research organisation eligible for AHRC/UKRI funding with Ireland collaborative partner. Activities that support networking, partnership development and collaboration between researchers, industry and stakeholders in the UK and Ireland. Activities may include workshop...
Eligible applicants
Independent investigators based at organisations eligible to apply to AHRC in the UK and eligible research bodies in Ireland.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£35,000
Total fund available
£150,000
Funding intensity
AHRC funds 80% of the full economic cost of the UK component (up to £28,000).
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Activities that support networking, partnership development and collaboration between researchers, industry and stakeholders in the UK and Ireland. Activities may include workshops, seminars, mobility activities, engagement events and knowledge exchange.
Eligible expenses
- Networking activity costs including travel, meetings, workshops and other engagement activities. Equipment costing more than £10,000 (UK component) or €10,000 (Ireland component) is not eligible.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under Innovate UK IFS competition guidance.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service.
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Outcomes expected to be published around August 2026.
Assessment process
Applications undergo eligibility checks followed by expert assessment and panel review conducted jointly by AHRC and Research Ireland.
Application sections
- Summary, Vision, Approach, Applicant and team capability to deliver, Ethics and responsible research and innovation considerations, Resources and cost justification, discipline classification and sector classification.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they do not meet eligibility requirements or fail to follow submission guidance.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
12 Jan 2026
Project duration
Fixed term of 12 months.
Project start
29 Sept 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Taighde Éireann (Research Ireland)
Collaboration rules
- Applications must be jointly led by eligible research organisations in the UK and Ireland, each with a project lead.
Consortium requirements
- UK–Ireland research networking collaboration required.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Employment Requirement","value":"Applicants must hold or be guaranteed at least a 50% full-time equivalent contract with their host research organisation."},{"label":"Industry Participation","value":"Organisations from relevant creative industry subsectors should be included as project partners."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Research networking awards."},{"label":"Required Documents","value":"Research Ireland documentation including budget form, application cover sheet, budget justification, gender or sex dimension declaration and letter of endorsement from the Irish host organisation."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Projects must demonstrate clear added value of UK-Ireland collaboration and contribute to strengthening partnerships across the creative economy research ecosystem."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Funded projects must allocate travel funding to attend a programme workshop organised by AHRC and Research Ireland in 2027. Attendance at this workshop will be mandatory for funded networks."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 24 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £35,000
- Funding band
- Micro (<£50k)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Mixed
- Industry
- Creative economy sectors including advertising and marketing, architecture, crafts, design, film, TV, video, radio and photography, IT and software including digital games, publishing, museums and galleries, and music, performing and visual arts.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 11 Jan 2026