AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026

The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award is a doctoral funding scheme supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) in the United Kingdom. It is used by participating universities and regional hubs to fund PhD researchers across arts, humanities, and some interdisciplinary projects that fit AHRC remit. Opportunities are advertised by individual universities rather than through one single central application route.

Based on recent institutional postings, the award typically supports PhD study and commonly provides a tuition fee waiver plus a tax-free maintenance stipend at the UKRI rate. Some projects and institutions also include additional benefits such as research training support, professional development, placements with partner organisations, travel or hub activities, and access to doctoral training communities. In many cases, funding covers home tuition fees; international applicants may be eligible, but some universities limit the number of international awards or require students to pay the difference between home and overseas fees.

The scheme is hosted across a range of UK universities, including project-based and open-call studentships. Subjects usually fall within the arts and humanities, but some interdisciplinary proposals may also be considered where they clearly align with AHRC priorities. Recent examples include projects in museum studies, theatre, design, law, politics, heritage, literature, languages, and other humanities-related areas.

Eligibility and application requirements vary by university. Applicants generally need to meet doctoral admission requirements, hold a strong academic background in a relevant field, and often submit a research proposal or apply to a named project. Some institutions ask candidates to contact a prospective supervisor before applying. Because deadlines, fee rules, and award numbers differ by host university, students should check the relevant university funding page carefully and apply through that institution's admissions or scholarship system.

For students seeking funded doctoral study in the UK arts and humanities landscape, the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award is a major route to high-quality PhD support and research training.