AHRC Landscape Award 2026
Faculty of Humanities Doctoral Academy
AHRC Landscape Award
The AHRC is providing funding for original research across the arts and humanities. The University of Manchester is pleased to be awarding six of these AHRC Doctoral Landscape awards to fund students beginning their doctoral research.
Key features of this studentship
- Fully funded studentship (3.5 years) for home and international students.
- Available for full-time and part-time study.
- Annual stipend at the minimum UKRI rate (2025/26 rate £20,780pa)
- An annual Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) towards project running costs/consumables, conference/workshop attendance, and career development opportunities.
- Access to specialised training through initiatives like Methods North West, which focuses on advanced research methods and techniques.
How to be considered
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to everything we do at The University of Manchester. We know that a diverse research community drives creativity, productivity and research quality, and strengthens our impact on society and the economy.
We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and career paths. We encourage interest from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status.
This funding is available to all nationalities.
To be eligible, applicants are required to meet the entry requirements for their programme and received an offer of a place on a PhD programme at Manchester in a relevant Department or School within the Faculty of Humanities, and their project falls within the remit of the AHRC.
Eligible PhD subject areas are as follows:
- Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies
- Architecture
- Art History and Visual Studies
- Arts Management and Cultural Practices
- Anthropology, Media and Performance
- Archaeology
- Arab World Studies
- Chinese Studies
- Classics and Ancient History
- Criminology
- Digital Humanities, Cultures and Media
- Drama
- English Literature, American Studies and Creative Writing
- East Asian Studies
- French Studies
- German Studies
- History
- Institute for Cultural Practices
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics and English Language
- Law
- Music
- Philosophy
- Religions and Theology
- Russian and East European Studies
- Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies
Please note this funding is not available to current PhD students.
- Choose your preferred PhD programme based on the subject areas in the eligibility criteria.
- Prepare a research proposal
Guidance on preparing a research proposal can be found by school:
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- School of Environment, Education and Development
- School of Social Sciences
3. Find a supervisor
- Have a look at our online guide 'Find a supervisor'
4. Complete an online application form by the deadline
Section 9 of the application asks for your funding intentions. Please add a funding source, and populate the fields below:
- Type of Funding: Research Council
- Awarding Body: AHRC Landscape Award
- Status of Funding: Intend to Apply
Please note that there is no separate funding application form for this award. All decisions are based on the online application and supporting documents. If you are shortlisted for an award, you will be invited to attend a funding interview.
Additional documentation
Your full online application must include;
- A 1,500 word PhD research proposal. Please state the word count on page 1 of the document.
- A copy of your bachelor's and master's academic transcript and certificate. If your master's degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
- An up-to-date academic CV summarising your academic record, employment history, publications and highlighting experience demonstrating your research potential.
- The names of two academic referees, including one from your most recent institution. Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following the submission of your application form.
- A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency.
Successful candidates will be chosen on the basis of:
- Academic merit and preparedness for research
- Quality and feasibility of research proposal
- Consideration of ethical responsibility
This award will cover:
- Fees (home or overseas) for 3.5 years.
- Annual maintenance stipend (this was £20,780 p/a 2025/26).
- An annual research training support grant.
- Programme application deadlines:
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures: 12 January 2026
- School of Education, Environment and Development: 19 January 2026
- School of Social Sciences: 1 December 2025
- Receive Formal Offer: tbc
- Funding Decision: tbc
- Deadline for candidates to confirm acceptance of the award: tbc
If you have any questions about this award, please contact hums.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
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Have a question?
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