Research opportunities  Support for researchers

The Cultural Institute is a specialised team that facilitates cross-faculty connections between researchers and the cultural sector. We assist researchers at various stages, enabling them to engage with people through arts and culture.

Our services encompass small to medium funding opportunities, creative residencies, partnership facilitation and the co-delivery of research-driven public cultural programmes across the University of Leeds.

Programmes listed on these pages are for the 2023-2024 academic year. Please note that not all opportunities will open applications until later in the year. 

Guidance and promotion

Finding a cultural partner: Our team facilitates connections between researchers and the cultural sector by introducing them to each other. With strong ties to various city organisations, we offer introductory discussions to initiate this process. 

Promoting your work: our team can help profile your work through our channels. 

Research opportunities

• Ignite Fund (applications open 4 September to 25 October 2024)
• Leeds Creative Labs (applications open Autumn 2024)
• Collections Research Fund (application opening dates TBC).

Leeds Creative Labs 

Leeds Creative Labs is a creative residency opportunity for artists and researchers to work together across 3-days on a non-output driven project. Participants are not expected to produce an outcome of their experience, but to play and learn from each other instead.

• Leeds Creative Labs (Creative Health), delivered in collaboration with Bradford Producing Hub (applications open November 2023 to February 2024. 
• Leeds Creative Labs (Smeaton300), delivered in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (application dates in 2024, TBC). This programme will pair artists from the region with researchers in EPS as part of the Smeaton300 project, celebrating the tricentenary of Leeds born Father of Civil Engineering, John Smeaton.

Get involved 

Opportunities for researchers and cultural professionals are held throughout the year and advertised in our newsletter. For latest news and events, sign up to our newsletter. If you have any questions on the above, please email us at culturalinstitute@leeds.ac.uk.