The Creative Industries Fund is Back

Derry companies had tremendous success with the Creative Industries Innovation Fund over the Summer with well over a dozen projects being funded with up to £10k (each) in grant funding.

The great news is that CIIF is back and open for applications again between now and Thursday, Feb 23rd.

Once again applications are welcomed from businesses and individuals for innovative new projects and you can apply for up to £10k. There are a few differences though. Firstly, any creative industries project is eligible (not just digital), although around 40% of the total fund is earmarked for digital content projects. Secondly, existing staff salaries are eligible. Decisions will be made by May and projects must be completed by the end of March 2013.

So who should (probably) apply?

• Anyone with an innovative creative industries project (especially digital)
• People who were awarded CIIF grants over the Summer (provided you can demonstrate that you've delivered "tangible outcomes and achievements to date" - see the guidance notes p.7)
• Anyone applying to the Culture Tech Fund
• Sectoral bodies working in the creative industries
• Anyone interested in doing something as part of the City of Culture celebrations

If you'd like to find out whether your project is a good fit for CIIF - or how to make it one - then here's what to do (in this order):

1. Download the application form and guidance notes from http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/award/innovation.html
2. Book yourself into the workshop which takes place in Magazine Studios on January 31st. To register your interest in the workshops, call or email Beverley Coomber on 02890 385271 or bcoomber@artscouncil-ni.org
3. Drop Mark Nagurski an email and he will be happy to help