Welcome to CoSTAR
We are the UK's first and largest R&D infrastructure for the creative industries, built to drive innovation for evolving global audiences
We support innovation-led growth by connecting creative inspiration with accessible facilities and expertise throughout the UK
The UK's first national infrastructure for creative industries
With our partners, we provide UK companies with access to a national R&D infrastructure built to outpace the rate of change in the UK's expanding creative economy.
Our LABS
National LAB
The CoSTAR National Lab will provide a state-of-the-art, AI enabled converged media production stage. Currently based at Futures Studio, Surrey and opening its flagship facility at Pinewood Studios in 2026. Led by Royal Holloway, University of London.
Screen LAB
Screen Lab is a facility for film, TV, gaming, and digital entertainment creators based at Studio Ulster and led by Ulster University.
Live LAB
Live Lab is a UK hub for developing new technology for live performance based in Production Park, Wakefield and is led by the University of York.
Realtime LAB
Realtime Lab explores virtual production and real-time tech and gaming and is based in Water's Edge, Dundee led by Abertay University.
Foresight LAB
Foresight Lab is a community of industry leading researchers, policy experts and data analysts led by Goldsmiths University of London.
Today
Funding, support, and insights – find out what you can access today across the CoSTAR Network. Explore below:
An AI copyright framework Time to ACCCT
This report considers the challenges in developing a publicly available, machine-readable approach to copyright consent that protects the interests of copyright holders whilst allowing AI companies to legally access data. It is published by CoSTAR National Lab with the support of DECaDE and Sheridans.
The Promise of Dynamic Gaussian Splatting
In early 2024, the CoSTAR National Lab prototyping team embarked on a research project into the field of Gaussian Splatting: pushing a 3D technology into the fourth dimension. This is the story that starts with Nine Inch Nails and ends with an animated odyssey of a Giant African Snail called, Ulysses and that demonstrates the promise and the potential of dynamic Splats.
CoSTAR partners
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