Challenge projects
The Royal Challenge projects convene Prize-winners to work together on research projects addressing key issues for the sector and the wider world.
The Coronation Challenge (2024)
The Coronation Challenge CreaTech report: How the fusion of emerging technologies and the Creative Industries can transform the UK’s approach to skills, innovation and business, was published on 10 February 2025. Launched in 2024, the Coronation Challenge was a year-long research project commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as part of the UK government’s Sector Vision Initiative, a landmark investment to stimulate growth in the Creative Industries. The resulting report is focused on the intersection of creativity and technology — known as CreaTech — which is reshaping industries and presenting the UK with unparalleled opportunity for economic growth, innovation and global leadership.
This research project was led by the 2023 winners of the Prizes in partnership with industry practitioners, creative industry consultants Erskine Analysis and oversight from an expert Advisory Board chaired by Sir Damon Buffini.
Read and download the Coronation Challenge CreaTech report
The report concludes with recommendations for action.
Creative Industries Minister, Sir Chris Bryant MP responded: “The CreaTech report demonstrates how creativity and technology go hand in hand. We want our creative industries to be at the forefront of technological development so that the UK remains a global leader and one of the best places in the world to invest and do business. I look forward to working across government and with industry to address the report’s recommendations, so that we can drive economic growth in the sector, support good jobs, spread opportunity, and build a sustainable skills pipeline – all central to this government’s Plan for Change.”
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Challenge (2022)
The Platinum Jubilee Challenge asked leading UK universities and further education colleges to work together to help their sector reduce carbon emissions to net zero. Sponsored by Department for Education, this research project was led by the 2021 winners of the Prizes in partnership with net zero consultants.
In January 2023, the Trust published the resulting report, “Accelerating towards Net Zero,” an ambitious roadmap for carbon reduction in the tertiary education sector. The report offered a robust profile of the tertiary education sector’s carbon footprint – the first of its kind – using detailed modelling highlighting target areas for emissions reporting and reduction. It also proposed a new Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework designed exclusively for the sector to enable all higher and further education institutions to measure, report and manage carbon emissions.
Read and download the report: “Accelerating towards Net Zero
The report was presented to government in tandem with 14 recommendations for action.
Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan responded as follows: “The fight against climate change is one we will only win if we all work together. The UK’s world-leading higher education and further education sectors are creating a pipeline of talent to fill the key skills gaps that will be vital to our national response to climate change. Institutions from across the UK are working together towards our common goal to be net-zero and I am hugely grateful for their work to date. I also want to thank the Royal Anniversary Trust for their recommendations to both the sector and Government.”
Baroness Barran, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education formally responded on March 27, 2023, encouraging all universities and colleges to adopt the Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework and pledging funding from the department for select recommendations within the report.