What Are AHRC Business Links – Explained 2025
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) connects academic research in fields like the arts, humanities, and social sciences with businesses. These collaborations help businesses discover fresh ideas and find new solutions to everyday challenges.
When you think of research, you might picture long academic papers and complex studies. But what if that research could actually help businesses grow, solve problems, and create new ideas?
That’s exactly what AHRC Business Links are all about.
In this post, we’ll explain what AHRC Business Links are, how they work, and share some real-world examples of businesses benefiting from these partnerships.
Table of Contents
What Are AHRC Business Links?
At their core, AHRC Business Links are partnerships between businesses and researchers. They help businesses tap into the knowledge and creativity of academics, who can bring new perspectives from areas like history, culture, and social sciences.
These collaborations allow businesses to find fresh solutions, come up with new ideas, and discover opportunities they might not have thought of before.
What makes AHRC Business Links special is that they bridge the gap between academia and business.
Researchers bring new ideas, and businesses bring practical problems. When they work together, they can come up with creative solutions.
Key Programs within AHRC Business Links
AHRC Business Links isn’t just one program, it’s made up of several initiatives that help businesses work directly with researchers. Here are some of the most important programs:
1. Creative Industries Clusters (CICs)
CICs bring together universities and businesses in creative industries like media, design, and digital technology. This program helps businesses access new research and ideas that can help them grow and keep up with changes in the industry.
2. CoSTAR (Convergent Screen Technologies and Performance in Real-Time)
CoSTAR supports businesses in the film, gaming, and live performance industries by providing access to new technology and research. Businesses in these fields can use the latest tools to create better products and improve the way they work.
3. Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships (CDPs)
CDPs allow businesses to work with universities and co-supervise doctoral students. This gives businesses access to top researchers who can tackle specialized problems. At the same time, students gain valuable experience. It’s a win-win for both sides!
4. Follow-on Funding for Impact and Engagement
This program helps businesses turn research into real-world solutions. If a business has completed academic research but needs extra funding to develop a product, test it, or expand it, Follow-on Funding can help make those ideas a reality.
Benefits of AHRC Business Links
Now that you know what AHRC Business Links are, let’s look at how they can benefit your business:
Access to Expert Knowledge
One of the biggest benefits is access to specialized knowledge. Businesses often face challenges that require new ideas or perspectives.
Through AHRC Business Links, you can work with researchers who have expertise in areas you may not typically consider, like history, social science, or culture. This helps you find fresh solutions and new ways of thinking.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities
Working with researchers also opens up new networking opportunities. As you collaborate, you’ll meet other businesses, startups, and institutions.
This expanded network can lead to new partnerships, suppliers, or even customers, helping your business grow and thrive.
New Ideas and Innovation
Innovation is key to staying competitive, and AHRC Business Links help businesses access the latest research and ideas.
Whether you’re improving a product, developing a new service, or creating a unique business model, these links help you stay on top of changes in your field.
Develop a Skilled Workforce
Many AHRC programs involve working closely with doctoral students. This means your business can tap into the latest research while also developing a skilled workforce.
Students bring new ideas and fresh thinking that can benefit your business, while your team gets access to specialized training and insights that can improve their skills.
How Can Businesses Get Involved with AHRC Business Links?
Getting involved with AHRC Business Links is easier than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your business get started:
1. Explore Funding Opportunities through the UKRI Funding Finder
The first step is to check out the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Finder. This tool makes it easy to explore which AHRC programs offer funding for your business.
Simply enter your details, and the tool will show you the best opportunities for your needs.
2. Understand the Eligibility Criteria
Each program has its own eligibility criteria, so it’s important to check if your business qualifies.
For example, some programs are only open to UK-registered businesses, and others may have specific requirements based on your industry or location.
3. Partner with a University
Many AHRC Business Links programs require businesses to partner with a university or research institution. This is where you’ll get the most value, working alongside top researchers to solve problems and innovate.
If you’re unsure where to start, there are networks like the Knowledge Transfer Network that can help connect you with universities and researchers.
4. Choose the Right Program for Your Business
Once you know which programs are available, it’s time to pick the one that fits your business goals.
Whether you’re looking to collaborate with students, access specialized research, or get funding to scale up your innovations, there’s a program for you.
Real-World Examples of How AHRC Business Links Are Helping Businesses
Here are some examples of how businesses are benefiting from AHRC Business Links and what they’re achieving with this support:
1. StoryFutures and Immersive Storytelling
StoryFutures, part of the Creative Industries Clusters program, is helping small businesses in the creative sector, such as those in media and digital tech, develop new digital content.
For example, StoryFutures helped create virtual reality experiences in collaboration with The National Gallery and the British Film Institute, giving visitors a unique, tech-driven way to engage with art.
2. CoSTAR and Virtual Production Technology
Ulster University’s CoSTAR program is helping businesses in film, television, and gaming by providing access to new technology.
In 2025, CoSTAR expanded its labs to include new facilities, allowing businesses to experiment with the latest screen technologies and improve their work.
3. Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships at the British Library
The British Library has partnered with universities to support research projects through the Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships program.
One project involved researching how music played an important role in everyday life in historical England. These collaborations help libraries and museums share knowledge with the public.
4. AI-Powered Historical Tours
A local tourist company teamed up with academic researchers to develop AI-powered historical tours. The project used technology to create engaging, interactive experiences that bring local history to life for visitors.
It’s a great example of how technology and research can work together to offer something new, while also helping preserve and share cultural heritage.
5. Valkyrie Industries and Creative Data
Valkyrie Industries, a company in immersive storytelling, worked with the Creative Industries Clusters program to use creative data to improve its storytelling process.
This partnership helped them integrate data-driven insights and reach more people with their stories.
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Conclusion:
AHRC Business Links offer businesses a unique opportunity to access academic research that can help them find new ideas, solve problems, and stay on top of their industry.
Whether you’re in the creative industries, technology, or social enterprise, these collaborations give you the tools to keep moving forward.
From helping small businesses grow with new research to offering support for creating innovative products, AHRC Business Links provide a variety of programs that can meet the needs of your business.
FAQs On AHRC Links
AHRC Business Links are open to any UK-registered business, whether it’s a startup, scale-up, or established company, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for each program.
AHRC Business Links provide businesses with access to academic expertise, funding opportunities, and collaboration with researchers. These partnerships help businesses innovate, solve challenges, and stay competitive.
Creative industries, technology companies, social enterprises, and businesses in fields like healthcare or education can all benefit. If your business faces a challenge that could be solved with research-driven insights, there’s likely a program for you.
