Funding
Our Collaborate fund supports innovative new research partnerships between cultural sector practitioners and academics. There will be two rounds of funding – one in autumn 2021 and one in autumn 2022.
Company Chameleon perform Witness This on Manchester city centre streets. Photo: Joel Chester Fildes

Intro
What is Collaborate?
Collaborate is a new fund to support the development of collaborative research projects between the cultural sector and academic researchers.
We will support around 15 projects and funding awards will range from £5K – £20K.
Successful projects will contribute to deeper understanding of the differences arts, culture, heritage and screen makes to people’s lives, and the range of research methodologies used to explore cultural value. Applications are now closed for the 2021 round of funding. There will be a further funding round in autumn 2022
Key information
Who can apply?
- Cultural sector: UK -based not for profit organisations (including social enterprises), creative practitioner or artist currently working in the arts, cultural, heritage or screen sectors.
- Academic researchers: individual academic researchers or research teams from any discipline. You must have a PhD at the time of application or similar research qualification or research experience, and currently be working at a UK based university or higher education institution.
Please note: expressions of interest are now closed for the 2021 round of funding. There will be a further funding round in autumn 2022. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when the fund reopens.
What can I apply for?
- Funding between £5k and £20k
Key dates
- Academics: expressions of interest for the first round of funding are now closed.
- Cultural sector: expressions of interest for the first round of funding are now closed
- There will be a second round of funding in autumn 2022
Why apply?
Cultural sector applicants
- To explore and more deeply understand your practice and to communicate the cultural value of your work more effectively
- Working in partnership with academic researchers can help open up new ways of thinking, develop innovative ideas and practice and build new networks.
- You’ll also develop knowledge and skills in collaborative research, with access to a cohort of peers, and workshops and learning resources.
Academic applicants
- To co-develop a collaborative research project to more deeply understand an area of cultural value.
- The research could form the basis of future research publications, be cited as impact activity for future REF case studies or be the foundation for further external funding in the future.
- You’ll have access to a cohort of peers, learning resources and the chance to develop skills in research leadership and new ways to communicate research.
Helpful resources

FAQs

Before you apply

Your application
