Creative businesses in the South West are being invited to partner with an academic and apply for funding to commercialise arts and humanities research.
The South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) have joined forces to offer ring-fenced funding worth £400k under the AHRC’s Knowledge Transfer Fellowship scheme. The funding will enable businesses in the South West to work with arts and humanities researchers based anywhere in the UK on a programme of knowledge exchange.
Projects will exploit high quality arts and humanities research to deliver technological or non-technological innovation. The scheme is particularly geared up to support collaborations across traditional industry boundaries.
For example an architectural practice designing sustainable ‘workhomes’ of the future could use design guidance emerging from academic research into the history of combined dwelling and workplaces. Or digital design research into interactive online worlds and networks might inform a games company’s development of a new product.
The scheme is expected to reap significant benefits for the businesses involved, as well as providing an opportunity to raise the profile of the South West as a centre of excellence for creative practice and technological innovation.
Lorelei Hunt, Director of Innovation at the South West RDA explains "Rapid progress in the creative industries, especially in areas utilising digital technologies, means that collaboration is vital in delivering innovation to the market. These kinds of programmes enable creative companies to benefit from high-quality research for development in areas that may otherwise be impossible; exploring emerging trends, audience demands and new business models to keep pace and adapt their offer as the environment changes."
Philip Esler, Chief Executive of the AHRC said "I welcome this initiative between AHRC and the South West RDA which demonstrates the significance of the role of knowledge transfer where regional circumstances demand a diversity of approach. In addition this joint activity will enable more creative businesses to benefit from the transformative effects and impacts that Knowledge Transfer Fellowships bring to partner organisations."
Business partners must be based within the South West. They should be commercial ventures in the creative industries or businesses engaged in activities that can use the arts and humanities research expertise offered by the academic. Activities undertaken by charitable organisations and other similar bodies may qualify, providing they are of a commercial nature.
Academic partners can be based anywhere in the UK and can include Higher Education Institutions and organisations recognised as Independent Research Organisations by the AHRC. Applications must be submitted by the academic partner.
The deadline for applications is 4pm on 14th May 2009 and for more information about the Knowledge Transfer Fellowship scheme, you can visit the AHRC website.