Would you like to start 2023 with an exciting new project? The Centre for Cultural Value’s Collaborate fund has now reopened to expressions of interest from UK-based academics.

The fund supports collaborative research partnerships between academics and cultural practitioners that ask new questions about the difference culture makes to people’s lives. Awards range from £5K – £20K.

Earlier this year, we asked the sector what questions relating to cultural value they would like to explore. We received 297 expressions of interest (a 62 per cent increase on the previous inaugural year). We want to thank all those who took the time to apply and share ideas for innovative collaborative projects.

Following a rigorous selection process, our panel has now shortlisted ten projects to go through to the next stage of Collaborate, where they will be matched with an academic partner to co-develop a joint funding proposal.

Ben Walmsley, Director of the Centre for Cultural Value, explains that the number and quality of applications made the selection process difficult, but he was delighted to see a real appetite for closer working partnerships between the cultural sector and academics. He says:

 Collaborate offers the opportunity to forge those relationships, shed light on under-explored research questions and test out new research methodologies.

What next?

Academics can now submit an expression of interest in working with the cultural sector partners on developing one or more of these proposals. Successful projects from the previous funding round involved academics from a range of disciplines. We therefore encourage those from all research backgrounds to take a look at the project proposals. We hope that there’s a question that ignites your interest.

Take a look at Collaborate project proposals
Am I eligible to apply for Collaborate? 

Want to find out more? We will be hosting an online briefing on 25 January 2023 for interested academics where we can answer questions, offer advice and share detailed information about the Collaborate process. A recording of this session will also be available on our YouTube channel following the event.

Book the free online briefing 

Why take part in Collaborate?

• Turn research into real-world impact
• Work with highly engaged partners
• Develop innovative methodologies
• Build new networks and potential future collaborative partnerships
• Cite the project as impact activity for future REF case studies

Working with partners outside of academia makes the work you do more exciting, more relevant and more stimulating.

– Current Collaborate academic Matthew Reason, Institute for Social Justice, York St John University

Want to see a Collaborate project in action?

In this short film, Dr Michelle Phillips from the Royal Northern College of Music shares her experiences as an academic working with Manchester Camerata on a Collaborate project and the benefits it has brought on both an individual and institutional level.