CoSTAR Realtime Lab has opened a call to support collaborative research and development projects focused on realtime performance and scene intelligence for screen and immersive content.

Grants are available for at least two flagship virtual production projects. Applications may be led by individual UK companies or by UK-led consortia. The lab is seeking to collaborate with organisations or individuals with experience building and operating volumetric capture systems, including digital and creative technology companies, film and VFX studios, game developers and engine teams, virtual production technology providers, volumetric capture companies, live streaming and VTubing platforms and researchers working in graphics and neural rendering.

Awards are expected to range from £25,000 to £50,000. Successful applicants will also receive access to CoSTAR Realtime Lab facilities and expert technical and creative support. The package includes up to 20 days of access to specialist infrastructure and industry expertise to develop and demonstrate a prototype or proof of concept.

Eligible activity includes R&D projects involving volumetric capture, virtual production and realtime content creation across the creative industries. Outputs are expected to be tangible, ranging from early-stage prototypes to more advanced product demonstrations enabled by the lab’s infrastructure