The Clwstwr funding cycle is now closed.

If you have an enquiry regarding Clwstwr

and wish to contact us,

please email: clwstwrcreadigol@cardiff.ac.uk 

or telephone: 02922 511434.

 

Clwstwr’s aims 

Clwstwr’s aim is to grow the Cardiff Capital Region’s screen and news sector by investing in Research and Development (R&D) to deliver outstanding innovation.  

Cardiff is the UK’s third largest film and TV production centre, with a wealth of talent and networks.  

We want to invest in people, companies and projects that can match global competitors in their scale of ambition and skilled innovation. 

Our ambitions for investment 

We aim to deliver transformative and commercially viable projects which will be beneficial to businesses and to the sector as a whole.

We strongly encourage applications based on collaborations and partnerships, especially those that work across different sub-sectors recognising that areas like film, TV, games and news have much to learn from other sectors. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion 

Too often, R&D investment circulates around networks which are not representative of our wider community in its social and cultural diversity. We aim to change that pattern and are working to address these structural imbalances in our organisation and in the wider sector. Our funds are open to all, but we are especially keen to receive applications from people who are historically under-represented and under-supported in the creative sector. We hope to continue to inspire transformative and inclusive lines of research and development that will challenge existing ways of producing and thinking. Find out more here.

What scale of funding does Clwstwr offer? 

Clwstwr’s funds are split into three main 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.

Project funding: £10,000 to £50,000 for R&D to develop 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. 

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 as a whole; 

  • 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.  

A level of match-funding will be required from applicants to meet State Aid rules. Good levels of match funding are also seen as a demonstration of your commitment to the project.  Match funding includes in-kind contributions, such as time worked by members of the project team or in-house resources devoted to the project. The minimum level needed is determined by: 

  • the nature of the project’s ‘R&D Activities’ e.g. a feasibility study, industry research or experimental research and 

  • the type of organisation applying for funds e.g. micro, SME, large. 

See our Eligibility page for more.