Cardiff University receives new AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

Cardiff University is one of 50 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to receive a new AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award to nurture the next generation of arts and humanities researchers.

The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards are a new approach to funding doctoral study. Originally announced by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) in 2023, they follow on from the previous Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) consortia, which recruited their last cohorts this year.

AHRC Executive Chair, Professor Christopher Smith, said: “The AHRC doctoral landscape awards provide flexible funding to allow universities to build on existing excellence in research and opportunities for innovation across the arts and humanities.

“They will support the development of talented people and, alongside our other doctoral schemes, contribute to a vibrant, diverse and internationally attractive research and innovation system.”

The funding provided through the new scheme will support 15 studentships – 3 per year – across each of the 50 HEIs receiving an award. The funding is based on a 4-year studentship duration.

Cardiff University will welcome its first cohort of AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award students in October 2026.

Professor Claire Gorrara, Dean for Research and Innovation at Cardiff University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: “We’re delighted to be selected as one of 50 higher education institutes to receive an AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award. It is testament to the strength and depth of arts and humanities research expertise at Cardiff University. We’re thrilled with this recognition.”

Dr Liz Wren-Owens, Cardiff University’s Dean for Postgraduate Research Students, added: “I echo Claire’s sentiments. This is excellent news for Cardiff University and for arts and humanities research and researchers. We look forward to welcoming the inaugural cohort of students to our community and for the opportunities to collaborate and co-create new doctoral research projects. We know that arts and humanities research plays an important role in how we understand and shape our world.”

“Part of our work now, ahead of welcoming that first cohort of students, is to work with the other HEI in our region which has received an award to create a Wales hub that will deliver innovative training and development activities for this next generation of doctoral researchers.  Our applications system will open in autumn, and we will ensure that applicants have all the tools and information to make them feel supported as they look to join us in Cardiff.”