UK–Ireland Collaboration in the Creative Economy
Research Networking Awards
Deadline: 24 March 2026
Duration: 12 Months
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Research Ireland have launched a new joint research programme designed to strengthen collaboration between the UK and Ireland in the creative economy.
This Research Networking Awards scheme will support the development of ambitious, collaborative research networks that bring together leading researchers, industry partners, and wider stakeholders from both countries. The programme aims to build long-term partnerships, strengthen research capacity, and drive innovation across the creative economy ecosystem.
By connecting centres of excellence in the UK and Ireland, the initiative seeks to harness complementary strengths, encourage knowledge exchange, and create sustainable research collaborations with real-world impact.
The Research Networking Awards aim to support projects that:
Build and consolidate new partnerships between researchers and stakeholders in the UK and Ireland
Create a strong platform for long-term international collaboration
Deliver innovative networking activities, including workshops, seminars, events, and outreach programmes
Support researcher mobility, engagement, and knowledge exchange
Encourage balanced participation from research organisations and industry partners in both countries
Promote the sharing of best practice across institutions and sectors
Demonstrate the added value of enhanced UK–Ireland collaboration in the creative economy
This funding opportunity is designed to support a diverse range of creative economy research themes, enabling collaboration across disciplines and industries such as digital media, design, film, gaming, cultural heritage, performing arts, fashion, publishing, and creative technologies.
By strengthening cross-border research networks, the programme aims to generate new ideas, accelerate innovation, and enhance the international profile of UK and Irish creative economy research.
This call represents a significant opportunity for researchers and industry partners seeking to develop impactful, international collaborations and shape the future of the creative economy across the UK and Ireland.
