Supporting R&D in creative industries

Strategy and funding for the creative and cultural economy

The UK’s creative industries are a major economic success, contributing over £125bn and supporting thousands of jobs.  To accelerate innovation and private investment, UKRI has published a new R&D strategy for the creative and cultural economy, calling for clearer definitions and investment roadmaps.

UKRI is also considering how place-based investment can be delivered with additional funding for Creative Industries Clusters. The AHRC managed fund supports regional partnerships between creative organisations and academia to develop commercially viable products, services and experiences addressing sector-specific challenges. While the Creative Industries Council is focused on driving growth in essential areas such as access to finance, skills development, export markets, innovation, and intellectual property.

In this collaborative landscape, platforms such as NCUB’s innovation brokerage: konfer become increasingly important. Konfer helps companies identify R&D partners, access funding, and connect with academic expertise, making it easier to navigate the innovation ecosystem, forge strategic partnerships, and accelerate technological development tailored to industry needs. This role complements UKRI’s strategy by facilitating access to vital knowledge, networks, and investment.

For academics and research centres, konfer provides opportunities to showcase expertise, promote interdisciplinary research, and engage with industry on collaborative projects. The platform enables universities to connect students and researchers with real-world challenges, fostering meaningful knowledge exchange between academia and the creative industries. In turn, universities can increase their sector impact, enhance graduate employability, and contribute significantly to the UK’s creative and cultural economy by driving both innovation and commercialisation.

Discover R&D funding 

Read the UKRI strategy