AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Project Nominations 2026 (Invite Only)
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). (UK Research and Innovation) · United Kingdom
Invite-only opportunity for higher education institutions (HEIs) offered a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship by an AHRC CDP Round 4 grant holder to nominate doctoral projects for studentships starting in October 2026. The scheme supports collaborative doctoral research between universities and non-HEI partners. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
26 Mar 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Invite-only opportunity for higher education institutions (HEIs) offered a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) studentship by an AHRC CDP Round 4 grant holder to nominate doctoral projects for studentships starting in October 2026. The scheme supports collaborative doctoral research between universities and non-HEI partners. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
See eligibility requirements
Match funding
The collaborating non-HEI organisation is expected to make a financial contribution to support the studentship. In-kind support from both HEI and non-HEI partners is mandatory. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible applicants
UK Higher Education Institutions invited by AHRC through a CDP award holding organisation. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Four-year AHRC-funded studentship. Financial commitment is expected from the collaborating non-HEI partner. Mandatory in-kind support must be provided by both the HEI and non-HEI partners. (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
Four-year AHRC-funded studentship. Financial commitment is expected from the collaborating non-HEI partner. Mandatory in-kind support must be provided by both the HEI and non-HEI partners. (UK Research and Innovation)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Doctoral research projects within the AHRC remit, aligned with the priorities of the CDP award holding organisation and undertaken collaboratively with a university partner. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- Student stipend, tuition fees, Research Training Support Grant (RTSG), London allowance (where applicable) and CDA stipend uplift. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ineligible costs
- Costs outside standard UKRI doctoral funding rules or those not permitted under AHRC doctoral funding guidance. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service (not Je-S). (UK Research and Innovation)
Competitiveness
Not scored
Decision timeline
Not specified by AHRC. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment process
Internal eligibility and completeness checks followed by assessment by AHRC. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Summary; Core Team; Vision; Approach; Project Partner Information; Project Partner Letter(s); Supervision; Recruitment, Selection and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI); Discipline Classification. (UK Research and Innovation)
Required documents
- Funding Service application; at least one Project Partner Letter from the CDP award holding organisation (or host non-HEI for consortia CDPs); supervisory information; supporting documentation requested within the Funding Service. (UK Research and Innovation)
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Vision; Approach; Project Partner Letter; Discipline Classification. (UK Research and Innovation)
Decision risks
Applications that do not follow the published guidance, fail eligibility checks or omit mandatory documentation may be rejected. Applications cannot be amended after submission. (UK Research and Innovation)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
24 Feb 2026
Project duration
Four years (may be adjusted pro rata for part-time students). (UK Research and Innovation)
Project start
1 Oct 2026
Project end
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-30.
Grant Name
AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Project Nominations 2026 (Invite Only)
Benefit Structure
AHRC funds tuition fees, doctoral stipend, Research Training Support Grant (RTSG), London allowance where applicable and a Collaborative Doctoral Award (CDA) stipend uplift to contribute towards additional collaborative project costs. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility Criteria
Invite only. Applications are limited to HEIs that have been offered a CDP studentship by an AHRC CDP Round 4 grant holder. Organisations must meet UKRI organisational eligibility requirements. (UK Research and Innovation)
International Eligibility
Project Lead must be based at an eligible UK research organisation. International applicants are not separately eligible as Project Leads. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible Activities
Nomination and delivery of collaborative doctoral research projects; joint supervision between HEI and non-HEI; doctoral recruitment, training, supervision, professional development and knowledge exchange activities. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application Format
Full proposal submitted through the UKRI Funding Service using structured application sections. (UK Research and Innovation)
Project Partner Requirement
Every application must include at least one non-HEI project partner. Project partner letters are mandatory. Formal collaboration agreements are required if funding is awarded. (UK Research and Innovation)
Supervisory Requirement
A supervisor from both the HEI and non-HEI organisation must be identified. The supervisory team must clearly define responsibilities, meeting arrangements and student support throughout the studentship. (UK Research and Innovation)
Recruitment Requirement
Recruitment must be fair, open and transparent, jointly undertaken by HEI and non-HEI partners, and comply with UKRI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles. (UK Research and Innovation)
Generative AI Policy
Applicants may use generative AI in accordance with UKRI's Generative AI policy. Assessment will follow UKRI guidance on the use of AI during peer review. (UK Research and Innovation)
Key Requirements
Project must fall within AHRC remit; include at least one non-HEI project partner; include mandatory project partner letter(s); provide robust doctoral training, supervision and student development arrangements. (UK Research and Innovation)
Important Notes
This opportunity relates only to the October 2026 intake under AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships Round 4. The round provides collaborative doctoral awards from a programme of 156 studentships awarded across the 2024 to 2026 academic years. Successful applicants must have formal collaboration agreements in place before award activation. (UK Research and Innovation)
Contact Email
skills@ahrc.ukri.org. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official Grant Page
https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/ahrc-collaborative-doctoral-project-nominations-2026-invite-only/ (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
26 March 2026, 4:00pm UK time. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 26 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- Four-year AHRC-funded studentship. Financial commitment is expected from the collaborating non-HEI partner. Mandatory in-kind support must be provided by both the HEI and non-HEI partners. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Other (Collaborative Doctoral Studentship Nomination). (UK Research and Innovation)
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- See eligibility requirements
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 19 Feb 2026