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Queen's AHRC Landscape Doctoral Awards in the Arts & Humanities 2026-2030

WELCOME

Queen’s is delighted to be among the 50 higher education institutions selected by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to receive funding through the new AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards.

With match funding from Queen’s, we are offering six funded studentships beginning in 2026. 

Queen's AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards
Key Highlights

These doctoral studentships are special in several ways.

  • They are a long-term and flexible investment to boost the strength and impact of doctoral research in the arts and humanities across the UK. They allow Queen’s University Belfast to build on existing excellence in research and impact across the arts and humanities, giving opportunities to talented people to do work that makes a positive difference to people’s lives.  
  • They emphasise equality, diversity and inclusion, aiming to widen participation in doctoral study across the arts and humanities. This bolsters the university's own focus on attracting students from a wide range of backgrounds and supporting them throughout their studies.
  • They combine discovery-led doctoral projects, designed by students, with funded support for wider researcher development and training, including engagement with other arts and humanities researchers, as well as institutions and organisations outside the university.
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  • Number of Awards Available
    • The first six students, selected through an open competition, will commence in Autumn 2026. Three will be funded by the AHRC, and three by Queen’s. The university is providing this match funding to demonstrate its support for the aims of the AHRC doctoral landscape award. 
  • Value of the Awards
    • Payment of university fees, whether home of international, and living expenses (at a fixed rate) throughout the funded period of 3.5 years. To demonstrate its support for these awards, Queen's is covering the gap between the Home and International fee rates.
    • Funding to support training and researcher development opportunities.
    • You will also have the benefit of being part of group of arts and humanities researchers, with opportunities to work with, and learn from, peers and partners in a dynamic research environment.
  • Eligibility
    • Open to both home and international students. Under AHRC rules, up to 30% of the awards each year are available for international students.
    • Open to discovery-led doctoral research that falls within the remit of the AHRC as defined by UK Research and Innovation.
    • Interdisciplinary research is welcome, but at least 50% of the doctoral project must focus on an AHRC subject area.
    • Open to full and part-time students.
    • Current doctoral students are not eligible to apply for these awards.
    • These awards are not available on a distance learning basis. Students must be resident within the UK for the duration of their studies and live within a reasonable distance of Queen’s University Belfast. 
  • How to Apply
    • The competition for the first six Queen's AHRC doctoral landscape awards is open. These awards will be for PhD study commencing in academic year 2026/27.
    • Full details on how to apply can be found here: QUB AHRC DLA How to apply
    • You can register to attend our online information session about these awards. A recording will be uploaded after the event.
    • Later in November, we'll provide details on our Application Friends scheme—current AHRC-funded doctoral students at Queen's who have volunteered to provide different forms of support to prospective applicants. 
Find out more
Online Webinar for Potential Applicants
We will be holding an online information session on 18 November 2025 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (GMT). This will give you an opportunity to learn about these new awards. 
Following the session, a recording will be available from this webpage. 
 
Please note that the session will not cover general issues such as other PhD funding awards for which you might be eligible, visas or English language requirements. For information on where to go for answers to such questions, check our written application guidance.

To register your attendance please complete this form. - Queen's AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards Webinar

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