Creative Catalyst Challenge Fund

The Creative Catalyst Challenge Fund is a grant fund enabling creative talent to apply their capacity for innovation to tackle a specific challenge within the industry.

The Fund is intended to be used for the research and development of an innovative new product/system or process that decarbonises or reduces waste within the Creative Industries, reducing the impact on climate and/or leading towards net zero.

The proposed new product/system or process will enable companies to build upon their creative and commercial ideas, creating opportunity for business growth.

Proposals must:

• Be from the creative industries or support the creative industries.

• Demonstrate clear benefits for the UK creative industry and the wider UK.

• Focus on a clear opportunity and the proposed innovation which addresses it.

• Address and engage in cross-sector innovation that has positive impact on the environment.

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For Round 2, the overall £250,000 funding pot will be allocated as follows:

• One award of up to £100,000 for more established businesses with market traction and customers of a product, ideally with co-investment in place.

• Two awards of up to £50,000 each for businesses 2+ years old looking to develop a new product or idea.

• Two awards of up to £25,000 each – very early-stage/new businesses and R&D ideas.

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Who Can Apply

Applications are invited from Registered Ltd Companies/SMEs based in the UK and working in the following sub-sectors of the Creative Industries:

• Music & Sound

• Advertising & Marketing

• Crafts

• Visual Arts

• Dance, Theatre & Performance

• Architecture

• Publishing

• AR, VR & Immersive

• Createch

• TV & Broadcasting

• Film

• Gaming

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Restrictions

The money cannot be spent on:

• Anything the applicant would have normally paid for without the grant, support such as overheads – this includes legal and accountancy fees which would be classed as an ongoing expense of running a business, eg payroll administration.

• Statutory costs, eg health and safety.

• All staff who do not perform a role directly associated with the delivery of the project, that is those performing supporting roles such as reception, central finance, IT support and organisation management.

• Any expenditure which is not related to the project or named in the final approved budget.

• Recoverable VAT.

• Dividends.

• Cash withdrawals.

• Penalties, eg late filing fees.

• Payments in advance of need.

• Retrospective payments, prior to project.

• Spend on alcohol within refreshments, entertaining.

• Non-standard UK travel, eg first-class travel.

• International travel, unless agreed at outset.

(This is not an exhaustive list.)

Due to the availability of other funds and support – the fund will not be accepting applications from:

• Fashion businesses/products/ideas.

• Monitoring or reporting tools for the sector.

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Eligible Expenditure

The programme will support creative and commercial ideas that develop new technologies and processes for decarbonising and reducing waste.

Some examples of what could be funded:

• Developing/ prototyping new tech for reducing excess waste at music festivals.

• Developing innovative new manufacturing processes for an everyday product within a creative industry.

• Innovation in access to power – eg on a film set.

Examples of the types of projects being sought:

• Developing/prototyping innovative new manufacturing processes for an everyday product within a creative industry.

• Developing/prototyping innovations in energy efficiency or low-carbon power in creative industry operations, eg on film sets and at events or in creative technologies.

• Developing/prototyping new tech or services for reducing waste and introducing more circular economy principles eg in production, at events, in creative industries specific manufacturing.

The money can be spent on:

• Equipment (hire or purchase).

• Wages – for PAYE personnel directly engaged on the project (including graduate and/or student placements).

• Travel, venue costs.

• Payment for freelancers and consultants.

• Marketing and publicity.

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How To Apply

Round 2 is now open. The deadline for applications is 22 July 2024 (09:00).

Applications are made online.

More information can be accessed at the Creative UK website.

Contact Creative UK for further information.

Maximum value: £ 100,000

Application deadline: 22/07/2024

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