The 2025 Studio Innovation Fund – call for proposals

The Studio, Bath Spa University’s city-centre hub, is all about creativity, innovation and community building. We’re looking to the future with an innovative vision that blends creativity, community, and impact. Our goal? To make Bath a creative powerhouse for micro businesses that tackle societal challenges and to build more resilient, cohesive communities. 

To activate this vision, we’re launching our annual Studio Innovation Fund. We’re focusing on proposals that promote collaboration and partnerships between our Residents and the wider creative tech community to find tech solutions for pressing social issues. 

What’s the deal? 

• Funded Period: From 01 January to 31 July 2025.
• Support: Partnerships are funded for seven months, ending with an evaluative event in July 2025. This funding comprises 3 x £10,000 grant. There is potential for further funds of up to approximately £4000 for each partnership to support project-specific training in creative technologies through The Studio’s pool of freelance trainers. You will also be supported in using any of the equipment from our equipment library, but it is not a requirement for you to spend the £4000 in this area. 
• Backed by: The University’s Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries and a HEQR Policy Support Fund grant from Research England.

Who can apply?

• Current Studio Residents partnering with freelancers, micro-businesses, commercial businesses, social enterprises, or third sector organisations.
• At least one partner must be based in Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES).

What to cover in your application:

• How partnerships will benefit both parties. 
• Clearly defined outcomes and desired social impact.
• Detail of how training in specific tech supports the partnership development, outcomes and social impact. 

Funding Available:

• Total fund: £30,000. 
• Three awards of £10,000 each. 
• Approximately £4000 to support specific creative tech training.
• Awards are given in instalments, with the final payment in July 2025 after evaluation interview and survey completion. 

Eligibility:

• Must involve a current Studio Resident. 
• Must involve at least two confirmed partners (including Studio Resident). 
• Open to freelancers, commercial businesses, social enterprises, and third sector organisations. 
• Both partners are expected to contribute equally to the project, though this equality is not rigidly defined by identical tasks or time commitment. Instead, equity will be measured by the overall value and impact each partner brings to the collaboration. 
• Must involve creative technology and aim for a positive social impact. 
• Activities throughout the funded period will be conducted either in The Studio or local region.
• The members of the partnerships should all engage with The Studio. 

Finding Partners:

• Connect! Day – Tuesday 5 November 2024, 12.00-2.00pm.
• Connect! Evening – Tuesday 12 November 2024, 5.00-7.00pm.

How to apply:

• Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 1 December 2024. 
• Process: Submit your proposal via this form https://forms.office.com/e/Q3uFcNxgQZ. Include details of confirmed and potential partners, a project overview, desired social impact, and a budget. The budget should include detail on pay rates, kit expenditure, travel, etc.
• Contact: Caroline Anstey, The Studio Manager, at thestudio@bathspa.ac.uk. 

Timeline:

Selection Process: 

• Criteria Selection: The Studio Team will work together to shortlist candidates, ensuring those who go through to the second round meet the criteria. 
• Final Round Selection: External Partners from local businesses and funding organisations will conduct a final selection round to identify the strongest proposals.  
• Interview: Five proposals will be selected, and Residents and partners will be invited to attend an interview. Three partnerships will be selected to each receive £10K and up to £4K for tech training to fund their partnership proposals. Interviews will be held in person on Tuesday 10 December. 

Questions:

Got questions or need support? Reach out to the team at thestudio@bathspa.ac.uk. 

Online Application Form:

Submit your proposal via the online application form.

Download the application form to help write your application before submitting.

Deadline for proposals: Sunday 1 December 2024, Midnight. 

2024 Studio Innovation Fund Evaluation Event. Louisa Clark and Joseph Lavington.