The South West RDA and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) have launched a joint call for collaborations exploring the interface between technology and the arts and humanities.

Ring-fenced funding is available under the AHRC’s Knowledge Transfer Fellowship scheme to allow businesses in the Creative Industries sector in the South West to work with arts and humanities researchers based anywhere in the UK on a well-defined programme of knowledge exchange.

The scheme is expected to reap significant benefits for South West business, as well as providing an opportunity to raise the profile of the South West as a centre of excellence in areas where technology is utilised by the creative industries, especially digital and pervasive media.

Business partners must be based within the South West and should be commercial ventures in the creative industries. Activities undertaken by charitable organisations and other similar bodies may qualify providing they are of a commercial nature.

Academic partners can be based anywhere in the UK and can include Higher Education Institutions and organisations recognised as Independent Research Organisations by the AHRC. Applications must be submitted by the academic partner.

Projects can last between 4 and 12 months, during which time the academic partner can be located at the partner organisation, or vice-versa.

The jointly-funded call, worth £400k, is expected to fund around four five projects.

The deadline for applications is 4pm on 14th May 2009.

For more information about the scheme, please visit the AHRC website or contact Conny Kowalczyk, Knowledge Transfer Programme Manager at the AHRC on 0117 9876 581 or by email c.kowalczyk@ahrc.ac.uk.