Funding Opportunity: DCMS Create Growth Programme – Competition 4: Large Projects

Type: Funding – Large Projects
Apply by: Thursday 29 May 2025, 11:00am

Innovate UK, in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is offering funding to support larger-scale innovation projects through the Create Growth Programme. A total of up to £8 million is available to creative businesses across 12 appointed regions – including Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire.

This initiative aims to help high-growth creative businesses scale through innovation, access to finance, and expert support.


What’s Available

Strand 2: Large Projects

  • For innovation projects with eligible costs between £50,000 and £200,000
  • Match funding is required
  • Designed for ambitious, growth-focused projects
  • Delivered as part of the Create Growth Programme – Competition 4

Please ensure you apply to the correct strand, as applications cannot be transferred once submitted.


Who Can Apply

You must:

  • Be a UK-registered micro, small or medium-sized business
  • Operate within the creative industries
  • Be based in one of the 12 Create Growth Programme regions, including Greater Lincolnshire
  • Focus on a clear growth opportunity and demonstrate how your innovation addresses it
  • Show the impact this funding would have on your business
  • Demonstrate engagement (past or planned) with the Create Growth Programme’s regional support offer

Programme Support Includes:

  • Tailored business support for creative industries
  • Access to finance and investor readiness support
  • Investor capacity-building opportunities

Application Deadlines

  • Competition opens: Monday 31 March 2025
  • Competition closes: Thursday 29 May 2025 at 11:00am (UK time)

This is a competitive funding opportunity and demand may exceed available funds.

Type: Funding