The £7 million Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Digital R&D Fund for the Arts provides funding of up to £125k per project to generate knowledge for the wider UK arts sector. It focuses on new digital projects that enhance audience reach and develop new business models. A two-stage application process provides initial Expressions of Interest, with successful projects invited to submit full applications. Funded projects must involve collaboration between an arts organization, technology provider, and research team, testing digital propositions within themes like social media and data/archives. The selection process evaluates proposals' innovation, potential research impact, strength of collaboration, and plans for disseminating results.

1. Briefing Event
artsdigitalrnd.org.uk
#artsdigital

2. What is it?
£7 Million Fund
To generate knowledge for wider arts sector
Up to £125K per project (including research)

3. What is it?
New digital projects that:
• Enhance audience reach
• Develops new business models
Key thematic areas:
• UGC & social media
• Digital distribution & exhibition
• Mobile location & games
• Data & archive
• Resources
• Education & learning

4. How does it work?
Two Stage Approach:
• Stage 1: Expression of interest
– Rolling selection process
– Light touch application form
– 7 week turn around
– Application period open NOW – Noon, Jan. 7th
2014
• Stage 2: Final application
– Find out more details if successful at EoI stage

5. Project Collaborators
Lead Applicant:
• Any organisation with an arts project
• Based in England
• Project based in England
The Technology provider
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Appropriate technical skills
No restriction on location
The Researcher/Research team
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Based in the UK
Working/supported by a UK Higher Education Institution or
AHRC recognised Independent Research Organisation
Postdoctoral standing
Expertise in Thematic Areas

6. Stage 1:
Expression of Interest (EoI)
Focus on Collaborations between

7. Application Form
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Proposition
Project research & learning/wider impact
Collaboration
Project delivery
Research

8. Eligibility Criteria
An organisation based in England
Arts project located in England working with digital
technologies to:
• expand audience reach and engagement and/or explore new
business models for the arts sector
Looking for a three way partnership arts, tech,
research
Project must fall under one (or more) of the thematic
areas
Project must demonstrate clear benefit to the public

9. Selection Criteria
Proposition:
• How innovative is the digital proposition insofar as it relates to
the Fund’s audience reach/engagement & new business model
objectives?
• How important is testing the digital proposition for the wider
arts sector?
Project research and learning/wider impact:
• What potential does the project have to deliver data/research
findings that are of relevance and value to the wider arts
sector?
• What potential does the project have to deliver new
products/services that can be shared and used by other arts
organisations?
• How will the project disseminate the knowledge (research, data
and learning) generated by the project?

10. Selection Criteria
Collaboration:
• Arts partner: does the organisation have a track record in the
arts and arts projects?
• Technology provider: does the organisation identified as the
technology provider have the relevant skills/track record to
deliver the work?
Collaboration
• Does the researcher/team have a good track record of
research, especially in the subject area of the proposed
project?
• What is the researcher/team’s track record of collaborating
with arts organisations/technology organisations?

11. Selection Criteria
Project delivery:
• How well do the applicants demonstrate their ability to deliver
the project?
• What is their capacity to engage in the R&D?
• Do they have buy in from senior management/CEO?
Research:
• Does the proposed research methodology match the project
proposal?
• How will the research proposed benefit the arts sector more
widely?

12. Researchers
Research discipline
• Main areas of research expertise/interest
• Previous research relating to the fund’s thematic areas
Expertise and experience
• Previous experience of research collaborations with arts
organisations and/or technology providers
• Please briefly highlight what research methodology was
used
Research impact
• How would your involvement benefit the fund’s objectives
• Anticipated benefits to the wider arts sector to your
research/research discipline
• How would you support the dissemination and wider impact
of the fund's research outputs?
CV/Biography

13. Finding a Partner
Website
• Collaborative platform on R&D Fund
website to help you find a project partner
• Search by region, specialism, partner type

14. Final Application
Only those successful at EoI can apply
If you are successful at EoI stage, everyone:
• Has 12 months to submit an application or by
12noon on the 10th of March 2014
• Take time to develop the project – get the right
people and commitments in place

15. Further Information
• Website: www.artsdigitalrnd.org.uk
• Contact: Emma Quinn
• Email: digital-rnd@nesta.org.uk
• Address: Nesta, 1 Plough Place, London
EC4A 1DE