New UK digital media programme offering £8 million in funding

Creative Skillset, the UK council that aims to support creative industries in the region, today launched a new £8 million ($13 million) programme to support digital sectors in the UK, including the games industry. The hope is that the Challenge Fund will address identified skills gaps and shortages in each area of the digital market, including games, animation, and film. Both small and large companies are welcome to apply for the grant over the next couple of years. Applicants must be able to show that they could not go ahead with their plans without the help of the Challenge Fund. They must also be able to prove that they don't already have existing projects in place, such as internships and apprenticeships. Details regarding the Challenge Fund can be found on the Creative Skillset website. This new fund comes just a week after the Technology Strategy Board, a public body in the UK that aims to accelerate economic growth in the region, launched its own £30 million ($48.1 million) funding strategy to help studios in the creative industries expand more rapidly.