UK-Ireland Collaboration in the Creative Economy: Research Networking Awards
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) · United Kingdom and Ireland. Applications must involve eligible research organisations from both countries. (UK Research and Innovation)
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. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
24 Mar 2026
Updated
16 Oct 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. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Creative economy sectors including advertising and marketing, architecture, crafts, design, film, television, radio and photography, IT and software (including digital games), publishing, museums and galleries, music, performing and visual arts. (UK Research and Innovation)
Match funding
No additional matched funding required beyond standard institutional FEC contribution. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible applicants
Independent researchers based at organisations eligible for AHRC funding in the UK and eligible research bodies in Ireland. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£35,000 (Full Economic Cost). AHRC funds 80% of the UK component (up to £28,000). (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
£150,000
Funding intensity
UK component funded at 80% Full Economic Cost. (UK Research and Innovation)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Activities that support networking, partnership development and collaboration between researchers, industry and stakeholders across the UK and Ireland. Eligible activities include workshops, seminars, networking events, researcher mobility, engagement and knowledge exchange. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- Networking activity costs, workshops, travel, accommodation, researcher engagement and collaboration activities. Equipment over £10,000 (UK component) or €10,000 (Ireland component) is not eligible. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Approximately five awards expected, subject to proposal quality and available funding. (UK Research and Innovation)
Decision timeline
Funding outcomes expected to be published during August 2026. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment process
Applications undergo eligibility checks followed by independent expert review and panel assessment jointly conducted by AHRC and Research Ireland. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application sections
- Summary, Vision, Approach, Applicant and team capability, Ethics and Responsible Research and Innovation, Resources and cost justification, discipline classification and sector classification. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
- Research Ireland budget form, application cover sheet, budget justification, Gender/Sex Dimension declaration and Letter of Endorsement from the Irish host organisation. A PDF of the submitted proposal must also be sent to Research Ireland. (UK Research and Innovation)
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if they fail eligibility checks, do not involve both UK and Irish partners or fail to follow submission guidance. (UK Research and Innovation)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
12 Jan 2026
Project duration
Fixed term of 12 months. (UK Research and Innovation)
Project start
30 Sept 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
- Taighde Éireann (Research Ireland)
Collaboration rules
- Applications must be jointly led by eligible UK and Irish researchers. Networks should include researchers, industry partners and other stakeholders where appropriate. (UK Research and Innovation)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-04.
Expected Next Opening
TBC. AHRC and Research Ireland have not announced the next round of this programme. (UK Research and Innovation)
Minimum Award
Not specified
Employment Requirement
Applicants must hold a permanent or fixed-term contract covering the duration of the award (minimum 0.2 FTE) with their host organisation. (UK Research and Innovation)
Industry Participants
Organisations from relevant creative industries should be included as project partners where appropriate. (UK Research and Innovation)
Research Category
Research networking awards.
Interview Stage
Not applicable.
Key Requirements
Projects must demonstrate clear added value from UK-Ireland collaboration, build sustainable research partnerships and strengthen the creative economy research ecosystem. (UK Research and Innovation)
Important Notes
Funded projects must budget for attendance at a mandatory UK-Ireland programme workshop organised by AHRC and Research Ireland during 2027. Separate funding documentation is required for the Irish component. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
24 March 2026, 4:00 PM UK time
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 24 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £35,000 (Full Economic Cost). AHRC funds 80% of the UK component (up to £28,000). (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Creative economy sectors including advertising and marketing, architecture, crafts, design, film, television, radio and photography, IT and software (including digital games), publishing, museums and galleries, music, performing and visual arts. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 12 Jan 2026