Call OpenThe Creative Intelligence Award

All details about the CoSTAR Network can be found on our website  

Please read the call brief before attending the webinar or submitting your application. 

Details about the Southbank Centre and Creative Intelligence can be found here.

Please check your eligibility for this call: 

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:  

• Have a lead applicant that is a legal entity registered and trading in the UK  
• Have a healthy financial track record  
• Be from or support the screen and/or performance sectors   
• Have an operations and/or project team based in the UK   
• Intend to exploit the results of work from or in the UK 

How does Creative Intelligence Award fit within wider CoSTAR activity?  

The Creative Intelligence Award is a collaborative award between CoSTAR National Lab and Southbank Centre. The call will operate under the same criteria as CoSTAR’s Pilots and Prototypes Programme, some of the documents regarding eligibility might refer to this programme but are applicable for the Creative Intelligence Award as well.   

Does the applicant company need to have been registered as a UK company for a certain period prior to application? 

• We are aware that some companies won’t have been trading long enough to have submitted any accounts or may have submitted abridged accounts if turnover is not of a sufficient level. This should not prevent you from applying for the programme, as long as your company is registered with Companies House.  This has been communicated to the judging panel and will not affect the judging process.  

My startup is not incorporated yet. Can I still apply to the programme? 

No. Your company needs to be incorporated, and you'll need to provide the incorporation date in the application form. 

Can Universities apply? 

Universities and researchers may be named as a partner in a proposal; however, they may not be a lead applicant on an application to a CoSTAR Access programme. The lead applicant must be a company registered and trading in the UK. 

What companies can apply under creative industries? 

The CoSTAR Access programmes are designed for SMEs incorporated in the UK, that are working in or are developing solutions in the creative industries. The DCMS groups creative industries into the following sub sector: 

• Advertising and marketing 
• Architecture 
• Crafts 
• Design and designer fashion 
• Film, TV, radio, and photography 
• Museums, galleries, and libraries 
• Music, performing, and visual arts 
• Publishing 
• IT, software, and computer services 

What are the programme obligations? 

Participants must be willing to commit to the following key obligations: 

• Attend check in sessions with both CoSTAR National Lab and Southbank Centre 
• Attend the programme kick off and induction sessions. 
• Attend at least 80% of the mentor sessions and support meetings. 
• Ensure that relevant team members are attending scheduled sessions as indicated. 
• Attend, present, and demonstrate project outcomes at Creative Intelligence 2027.  
• Attend meetings hosted by programme delivery partners. 

Participant agrees to be visibly (name and logo) associated with the Programme, whilst in the Programme, and afterwards as a former participant and beneficiary.  This includes marketing collateral, such as website, print and digital materials. 

Join future CoSTAR Alumni group to continue to develop valuable relationships created on the programme. 

A ‘Give-Back’ of 8 hours mentorship to future E&C programme participants over the following 2 years. 

Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular evaluation of the cohort will be conducted to understand how successful the programme is in supporting both the professional development goals of the successful applicant and their respective business. 

For a maximum period of five years following the Project end date, Participant shall use its reasonable endeavours to answer specific questions from CoSTAR National Lab relating to its growth and progress to assist CoSTAR in demonstrating the impact of its activities. This shall include: (i) participation in an annual telephone conversation of one hour, and (ii) participation in a survey issued by CoSTAR. 

Is the programme remote or in person? 

The programme will be delivered in a hybrid model. Most of the mentorship sessions are online, with in person attendance at Creative Intelligence 2027 and access to CoSTAR National Lab.  

Do I have to attend all of the activities? 

In general, attending all activities on the programme can be beneficial as it provides you with the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors, connect with other cohort members, and develop your business skills. However, it is important to prioritise your time and focus on activities that are most relevant to your business goals. 

How is data related to my business or product treated? 

CoSTAR National Lab and Network Labs will not be signing NDAs with programme participants. CoSTAR National Lab will ask you to share your data with programme delivery partners and, if access is given, these will be regarded as confidential information.   

Who will own the IP of my business or product, is equity taken? 

The participants will have full ownership of their intellectual property created. For full details, please refer to the programme terms and conditions. Whilst no equity will be taken in the businesses of any participants. 

Can I speak to someone from the team before submitting? 

Yes. We will be holding a briefing event during the application window. This will be a good opportunity to understand further details about the programme. Whilst you’ll also be able to have any queries or concerns addressed by members of the CoSTAR E&C team. These briefing events are intended to be informal, open, and accessible to anyone who wishes to participate in the programme, regardless of their background or experience level. They will not have an impact on the judging of your application. 

Do I have to use Submittable to complete my application?  

We encourage applicants to let us know about any reasonable adjustments they may require for the application process or their proposed project. You may already know what you would like to request, or you may like to have a general discussion of your options.  Individual requests for access support will be accommodated wherever possible and equitable. 

Please forward requests to costar.enterprise@rhul.ac.uk. 

What information is asked for in the application form? 

The application form will be the first method that we use to assess both the eligibility of all applicants, and their suitability to the programme. To determine eligibility, we’ll need to understand details of your business and product/ service/ experience being developed. Whilst to understand suitability, we’ll need further details on the problem and solution that you’re addressing, your aims and objectives both in programme and afterwards and an understanding of any project members that will also be participating. 

I need support with making my application; what should I do?  

Please forward requests to costar.enterprise@rhul.ac.uk. 

Who will my application data be shared with? 

We only use your application information for the purpose of the programme. If information is shared outside of CoSTAR this will be made clear in the application form and/or programme agreement. 

Will I be able to save my application form? 

Yes, you will be able to save it during the application process, so that you can complete it in more than one session if you need to. 

How are applications selected? 

All applications will be initially assessed for eligibility in accordance with the programme’s eligibility criteria. Once verified, all applications will be assessed against the selection criteria by a diverse pool of external assessors and industry experts. Whilst they’ll also be assessed by members of the CoSTAR network for suitability.  

How long will the review process of applications take?  

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application within 8 weeks of the programme closing for applications. 

I want to include more detail than a section in the application form allows, is this permitted? 

No, only the information contained within the application form and within page limits specified for each section will be evaluated when selecting proposals. This is to ensure all proposals are scored fairly and equally, and also helps assessors to more easily compare proposals. 

Will I be asked to complete an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion form as part of the application process?  

Yes, for the lead applicant only. 

Will I receive feedback on my application? 

Because of the number of applications we receive, we can’t provide feedback on applications that do not progress to the interview stage. 

If my application is not successful, can I apply for a later programme? 

Yes, you are welcome to apply for any other CoSTAR programme. 

What if I am involved in another CoSTAR programme? 

You can still take part in other CoSTAR-funded programmes, so long as the timings do not cause a conflict of interest and you are eligible to participate.