Creative Innovation Lab 2027: Creative Europe grants for innovative tools for film, music, books and museums
Verified by the editorial team 28 October 2026
Added to the catalogue Added to the catalogue from the 21 October GetGrant export, terms verified on the Funding & Tenders topic page and the CREA-CROSS-2027-INNOVLAB call document
Summary
A Creative Europe grant with no fixed ceiling (the EU covers up to 80% of costs, total call budget EUR 7,183,502) for innovative tools, models or solutions that link the audiovisual sector with music, books or museums. Ukrainian NGOs and cultural organisations can apply alone or in a consortium. Deadline - 22 April 2027.
About the call
Creative Innovation Lab is a cross-sectoral topic of the EU Creative Europe programme managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). It funds the design and spread of innovative tools, business models and solutions that must concern the audiovisual sector (film, series, animation, documentaries, narrative video games and immersive projects) and at least one of three others: music, books or museums. Priorities include virtual worlds for promoting European content, tools based on AI, big data and blockchain for rights management, audience analytics and distribution, and greener practices for the cultural sectors.
There is no maximum grant amount: the EU reimburses up to 80% of actual costs, but evaluators look separately at whether the project can work with a lower share of public funding and attract private or own investment. A single organisation or a consortium of two or more may apply; projects normally last up to 24 months, and financial support to third parties is allowed. Content production, cultural events, multimedia installations, promotional and tourism projects, reference works, e-books and e-learning platforms are not funded.
Since September 2025 Ukraine has participated fully in Creative Europe, including the MEDIA strand, so Ukrainian NGOs, cultural institutions, museums and media organisations can apply on equal terms with European ones. The call suits those building digital products for culture: services for film distribution and museums, audience analytics tools, or solutions for translating content and making it accessible. The EU advises checking the idea with the national Creative Europe Desk before applying.
Who can apply
- Public and private legal entities from EU countries and countries associated to Creative Europe, including Ukraine
- Audiovisual, cultural and creative organisations, NGOs, museums
- Tech companies, start-ups, business incubators and accelerators
- A single organisation or a consortium of at least 2 participants
- International organisations
Who cannot apply
- Natural persons (except sole traders without separate legal personality)
- Organisations majority-owned by nationals of countries not participating in Creative Europe
- EU bodies and organisations under EU sanctions
What the funds are for
- Virtual worlds for promoting European content and renewing audiences
- AI, big data and blockchain tools for production, financing, distribution and promotion
- Rights management and monetisation, including bundled subscriptions to European cultural content
- Data collection and analysis for audience development
- Greener practices in the audiovisual and other cultural sectors
- Financial support to third parties within the project
What is not funded
- Content production and development, organisation of cultural events
- Multimedia art projects and installations, immersive tours and music videos
- Advertising, tourism and institutional promotional works
- Reference works, how-to guides, e-books and e-learning platforms
- Talk shows, news, educational programmes and media literacy projects
Documents required
Forms and templates are on the call page
- Administrative form Part A (completed online in the Submission System)
- Technical description Part B using the Submission System template (up to 50 pages)
- Part C with project data and contribution to programme indicators (online)
- Declaration on independence and ownership (mandatory template)
- PIC of each participant in the Participant Register
How to apply
- 1Check the idea and eligibility with the national Creative Europe Desk
- 2Create an EU Login and register the organisation in the Participant Register (get a PIC)
- 3Form a consortium (if needed) and prepare Part A, Part B, Part C and the declaration on independence
- 4Submit via the Funding & Tenders Portal by 22 April 2027, 17:00 Brussels time
Timeline
Questions and answers
- Can a Ukrainian NGO apply to the Creative Innovation Lab?
- Yes. Since September 2025 Ukraine has participated fully in Creative Europe, including the MEDIA strand, so Ukrainian legal entities can apply alone or in a consortium.
- How much funding is available?
- There is no fixed cap: the EU covers up to 80% of actual costs, and the call budget is EUR 7,183,502. Evaluators consider whether the project can manage with a lower share of EU funding.
Change history
- Added: Added to the catalogue from the 21 October GetGrant export, terms verified on the Funding & Tenders topic page and the CREA-CROSS-2027-INNOVLAB call document
Donor contacts
Email: EACEA-CROSS-INNOVLAB@ec.europa.eu
Website: culture.ec.europa.eu/resources/creative-europe-desks
