CoSTAR Showcase Labs 2026
AHRC offers up to £4 million to UK research organisations to build a CoSTAR Showcase Lab for film, TV, games and performance. Apply by 29 October 2026.
CoSTAR Showcase Labs is an Arts and Humanities Research Council funding opportunity, paid for through the DCMS Createch Futures programme. It adds new labs to the CoSTAR network of creative research and development infrastructure for screen and performance. The page names film, TV, games and performance as the sectors the labs should serve.
The total fund is £8,000,000 and up to two Showcase Labs can be funded, each with a full economic cost of up to £4,000,000. Third party match funding must be at least 50 percent of the full economic cost requested, and AHRC funds 80 percent of the full economic cost. Awards last three years from April 2027, and projects must start by 31 May 2027.
A Showcase Lab designs and fits out advanced creative facilities on the same site as a screen production facility, studio or performance company. It works on near market innovation at technology readiness levels 6 to 9, acts as a regional or sector hub, follows the CoSTAR technical standards and offers businesses support with commercialisation and investment.
The lead must be a UK organisation eligible for UKRI funding. The consortium needs at least one commercial or industry partner on site and one local or combined authority, economic development body or enterprise agency. The project lead must live in the UK, hold a doctorate or equivalent experience and have a record of leading major programmes in screen and performance. International collaborations are not eligible. You apply on the UKRI Funding Service, and only the lead research organisation can submit.
Applications close on 29 October 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. Reviewers score strategic fit and vision (30%), deliverability and value for money (25%), contribution to UK creative innovation (25%), environmental sustainability (10%) and equality, diversity and inclusion (10%). Shortlisted applicants are interviewed in the week of 25 January 2027, and outcomes are due in February 2027.
Quick answers
How many Showcase Labs will be funded?
Up to two, each up to £4,000,000 full economic cost.
Can one lead apply for both Showcase and Satellite Labs?
Yes. A lead bidder may submit both a Showcase and a Satellite Lab bid.