These FAQs primarily relate to the Clwstwr programme’s funding cycles (2019 / 2020 / 2021). This content was last updated on 24 May 2021.  

What is Clwstwr? 

Clwstwr is an ambitious programme for industry to create new screen and news related products, services and experiences. Clwstwr builds on South Wales' success in making creative content by putting research and development (R&D) at the core of production.  

Clwstwr - where ideas thrive through

We are creating a culture of innovation in the cluster which is moving the screen sector from a position of strength to one of global leadership.  

What does Clwstwr mean by research and development (R&D) projects?

Clwstwr cannot fund ‘business as usual’ activities.  

Our application process asks you to demonstrate that your project is focused on R&D activities. 

We can help you develop project ideas, but as a steer, we are looking for projects that demonstrate that they: 

  • are aimed at new findings (Novel) 
  • are based on original, not obvious concepts and hypotheses (Creative) 
  • have a level of uncertainty about the final outcomes 
  • are based on a planned and budgeted approach (Systematic) 
  • generate results that can be reproduced resulting in the transfer of new knowledge (Transferable/or reproducible) 

Please see a full definition of types of Research and Development at the end of these FAQs.  

We are funded by the Creative Industries Clusters programme which is part of the UK Industrial Strategy and is being delivered by the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and by Welsh Government through Creative Wales.   

Who is involved in Clwstwr?

Clwstwr is a Research & Development (R&D) partnership between higher education and creative industries. Clwstwr is led by Cardiff University in partnership with University of South Wales and Cardiff Metropolitan University. Each has notable strengths in creative industries training, research and engagement. 

Read more about the three universities expertise here. 

Clwstwr is also supported by BBC Cymru Wales, Arts Council of Wales and Cardiff Council. 

We are funded by the Creative Industries Clusters programme which is part of the UK Industrial Strategy and is being delivered by the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and by Welsh Government through Creative Wales.   

Where is Clwstwr based? 

Clwstwr’s primary base is at Cardiff City Hall, with flexible working spaces and facilities at: 

While Clwstwr works with companies across Wales, activities are focused in the Cardiff City Region which includes ten local authorities: Cardiff City, Vale of Glamorgan, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Bridgend.

Who is Clwstwr for?

We are looking to work with as many individuals, businesses and organisations in our region as possible including freelancers, SMEs, large organisations, broadcasters, agencies and coworking spaces. 

There are a number of ways of getting involved: 

  • A dynamic team: Our Clwstwr delivery team will work with you to explore ways to develop your R&D ideas. 
  • An innovative environment: Clwstwr is developing the screen and news ecology, fostering and encouraging collaborations across creative sectors. 
  • R&D infrastructure: We have a mix of resources, expertise and research is curated to provide participants in the Clwstwr programme with an R&D environment designed to develop ideas to their fullest potential. 
  • Events: Our regular events (e.g. meet ups, workshops, hacks) are opportunities to meet new people and find inspiration.   
  • Funding: Clwstwr funds innovative ideas relating to either screen or news which will result in new products, services or experiences. We support innovations that have both an economic benefit – creating, sustaining and growing businesses – and that make the world a better (smarter, healthier, more diverse, more interesting) place. 
  • Knowledge Exchange: We are working with our unique infrastructure of expertise across industry, academia and our communities to bring cutting edge ideas, technology and know-how to solve creative challenges. 
  • Networking: Clwstwr provides occasions to meet, and work with, new people as well as opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. 
  • Professional expertise: Working with our network of Clwstwr industry partners we provide help in the form of expertise as and when required e.g. Intellectual Property advice, information on international markets, commercialisation. 
  • Research: Clwstwr participants have access to, and may have the opportunity to contribute to, cutting edge university research. 
  • Resources: A variety of university facilities and spaces are available including University of South Wales’ Bespoke green screen studio for VFX filming and Motion capture & VR studio, Cardiff University’s News Innovation Lab and Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Perceptual Experience Lab (PEL) and FabLab. 
Clwstwr - how to get involved

What funding is available?

Budgets will vary according to the scope of the innovation proposed. There are three Clwstwr funding streams: 

Seed: up to £10,000 for early stage R&D for scoping work or to develop a proof of concept. We expect these projects to be completed within three months. Those projects where the R&D shows significant potential can then apply for project level funding. However, to be eligible for additional funding, Seed projects should be completed by October 2021. 

Project funding: £10,000 to £50,000 for R&D to lead to a product/service/experience ready for commercialisation. We will want to see evidence that when your R&D stage is complete, you will be ready to move to the revenue generation phase, to support the future development or rollout of your new product, service or experience. These projects can last for a maximum of 12 months (ending by June 2022). 

Transformative projects: £50,000 to £100,000. We will make fewer awards at this level - this is for ambitious R&D projects that have the potential to make a transformative impact: either on  

  • the media sector; 
  • your business growth.  

We will want to see strong evidence that when your R&D stage is complete, you will be ready to move to the revenue generation phase, to support the future development or rollout of your new product, service or experience. 

What can funding be used for?

This is an indicative, not exhaustive list of what Clwstwr funds can be spent on:

  • Direct project costs
  • Staffing
  • Tech development
  • Marketing and events
  • Learning and development / user research

Can I submit more than one application?

We encourage applicants to concentrate on one idea and consider the intensity of the project. We will consider multiple applications on a case-by-case basis.

Can I reapply if I’m unsuccessful? 

Yes – at each stage, we aim to provide you with constructive feedback, to signpost potential collaborators or networks, and to help you shape and refine your project ideas. 

You can re-apply to Clwstwr for a new or different project, or for the same project provided you demonstrate that all feedback provided on your original proposal has been addressed in the resubmission. 

I have already received Clwstwr funding, can I apply for more?

We would like to fund ideas from as many different individuals and organisations as possible during the lifecycle of Clwstwr to ensure uplift across the screen sector in South Wales.

If you have received Clwstwr Seed funding (up to £10,000) and your project has been completed successfully and shows real promise, then you can apply for additional funding to complete your R&D and move towards commercialisation.

We would not normally expect to receive requests for additional investment from applicants that have already received Clwstwr Project or Transformative Funding (£10,000 - £50,000+). We would work closely with you to explore wider funding opportunities and potential partners who might help you to achieve your longer term aims.

There may, however, be exceptional circumstances where further investment from Clwstwr is possible, and anyone considering an application for additional investment from Clwstwr should carefully consider the following requirements:

  • We will expect to see a clear route to commercialisation and/or economic benefit in your application;
  • We will be less tolerant of risk;
  • We will expect to see clear evidence of demand for the new product/service/experience;
  • In line with State Aid rules for latter stage R&D (Experimental Development), we will expect to see a significant level of match funding coming from the applicant and/or third party investors, demonstrating further commitment to the new product/service/experience.

The points will be considered by our assessors in addition to our existing criteria.

What we are not able to support

Clwstwr is about innovative activity that goes above and beyond business as usual, and which creates new products, services and experiences. Clwstwr is not a fund for business as usual activity, commissioning traditional forms of content or training. There may be other funds available from other sources for these activities and the Clwstwr team can signpost you to those.

What about Intellectual Property? (IP)

All participating companies and individuals based in Wales will retain the IP they develop in Clwstwr. Our aim is to build a sustainable and prosperous creative cluster in South Wales - to see new businesses emerge and existing businesses grow. Should projects decide to sell IP (developed with support from the Clwstwr programme) to companies outside Wales, we retain the right to review this arrangement. 

What happens to the information we share with Clwstwr?

Clwstwr’s ethos is to encourage collaboration across the sector for everyone’s mutual benefit. We recognise this requires levels of trust from all involved. If you are concerned about sharing information with us, please raise this with one of the team.            

Use of information: We will use the information you provide to deliver, manage, report and evaluate activities under the Clwstwr programme. Cardiff University and partners may carry out research related to Clwstwr activities, to help gain shareable insights, and to assess the impact of experiences and the programme itself. This may include (but is not limited to) producing published case studies or testimonies for which grant recipients would be expected to contribute.                                                             

Our full privacy policy can be found here.

Confidentiality: If you wish information to be treated as confidential by us and those we work with, please make this very clear, and mark material as confidential. We will only consider non-disclosure agreements in exceptional circumstances.

As a public body, we may be required to disclose confidential information due to our obligations under the Freedom of Information Act (or other applicable legislation), or to Clwstwr programme funders and governance group members.

Publicity: We may ask to promote your project as part of our communications activity. If you have any queries about public relations or media coverage please email our communications team.

What are the key reporting requirements for successful Clwstwr awards? 

A member of the Clwstwr team will work with successful Project Lead to finalise any necessary project documentation and a Clwstwr Grant Agreement, and then liaise on reporting on your project progress as you start delivery. Your Clwstwr Producer will be a source of advice and help to make sure your project complies with our terms and conditions, but they are not responsible for project management. 

Throughout your project you will complete a small number of Milestone Meetings with your Clwstwr Producer. These are to ensure your R&D is going well and you will report on your progress to date and your next steps. These meetings will trigger your next payment from us and you will be expected to complete a Payment Claim Form and invoice us for the next amount.  

At the end of your project you will complete a short Final Report and we will ask you to work with us to create a case study based on your work.

What documentation will you need from me when I apply? 

As a minimum, the documentation we expect to ask you for will include:

Grant Agreement Terms and Conditions: Project Lead are required to sign and return a Grant Offer Letter before any costs can be claimed on the project.

Nominated contacts: We will ask you to confirm a project contact (for operational day-to-day delivery of the project) and a finance contact (responsible for supplying any additional information required to complete financial due diligence checks or to address equerries on the budget, and who will authorise submission of financial claims).

Bank account and other financial details as necessary: in order that we can set up payments to you. We will also ask for assurance or evidence of other sources of match funding identified in your budget.

Payments, financial claims: Costs are only eligible if they are incurred and paid between the project start and end dates. We will provide you with a Financial Claim form and guidance on submitting this to us. Our first payments are in advance (e.g. on signature of contract, at your milestones points).  Your final payment will be in arrears on submission of your final report. We expect grants to be claimed in line with a schedule of payments we agree with you, and against agreed project milestones.   

Document retention and audit: You should have financial systems in place to retain all records relating to a project for at least ten years after it finishes. We may visit you to review these records, or ask you provide further supporting evidence to satisfy requests under our own regulations or audits from Clwstwr’s programme funders – this is often at short notice. Project Leads will be provided with further guidance on this (currently under development and review).

What is the difference between ‘feasibility’, ‘experimental development’ or ‘industrial research’ (R&D Activities).

Applicants will be asked to categorise their project as one of these types of research activity defined below.

The type of research activity is determined by the maturity of your product, process or service.

It also determines the level of grant funding we can provide, and the proportion of match-funding expect applicants to provide. 

Feasibility Study: This is usually early stage R&D. You will typically address an issue, need or problem, then research, develop and create an early stage prototype of a new product, service or experience. 

Industrial research: This is the stage of Research and Development where your idea, or prototype, is refined and tested.  This may involve working with a number of test users who will offer feedback to enable you to refine your idea to create the best possible version before it is ready for a market. 

Experimental development: This is typically the final stage of on R&D process where you validate your work in a real life setting. This may include activities aimed at testing, evaluating and defining the near final product, service or experience with likely end users.   

These conditions are determined by State Aid legislation. You can read more about these R&D definitions here.