Astronomy Solar and Planetary Small Awards 2026
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) · United Kingdom
Funding to recruit and train doctoral students through a consortium-based doctoral focal award in art history, visual arts and creative practice. The programme aims to strengthen advanced research skills and innovation capacity across the UK's cultural and creative sectors. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
17 Mar 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Funding to recruit and train doctoral students through a consortium-based doctoral focal award in art history, visual arts and creative practice. The programme aims to strengthen advanced research skills and innovation capacity across the UK's cultural and creative sectors. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Museums, galleries, heritage organisations, archives, visual arts, design, creative industries, cultural institutions and related sectors.
Match funding
No institutional matched funding required.
Eligible applicants
UK higher education institutions eligible for AHRC doctoral funding that can demonstrate the capacity to lead a consortium-based doctoral training grant in art history, visual arts and creative practice. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Funding for 25 to 30 doctoral studentships per award across three cohorts. (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
Funding provided at standard UKRI doctoral funding rates.
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Programmes must deliver doctoral research and training in art history, visual arts and creative practice, promote interdisciplinary and practice-led approaches, strengthen links with the cultural and creative sectors, enhance professional development, increase participation from underrepresented groups and contribute to UK creative economy growth. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- Doctoral stipends, tuition fees, research training and development activities, cohort development, collaborative training and related programme delivery costs funded at standard UKRI doctoral rates. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
Assessment expected to conclude approximately four months after the application deadline.
Assessment process
Applications assessed by an expert panel against published assessment criteria and ranked before funding recommendations are made. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application sections
- Vision, consortium structure, training programme, capability to deliver, partnerships, governance, organisational support, resources and positive research culture.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met or if proposals fail to follow AHRC guidance.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
9 Dec 2025
Project duration
Minimum of 6 academic years
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Applications must involve at least one additional UK higher education institution and at least one partner organisation beyond academia. Partnerships with museums, galleries, heritage organisations and creative industries are strongly encouraged. (UK Research and Innovation)
Consortium requirements
- A minimum of two UK higher education institutions and one non-academic partner must form the consortium delivering the doctoral training programme.
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-06.
International Collaboration Requirement
International project partners may participate where appropriate, following UKRI international collaboration policies.
Research Category
Doctoral research and training in arts and humanities.
Research Organisation Funding
Not specified.
Subcontractors
Not specified.
Interview Stage
Not specified
Key Requirements
Consortia must demonstrate high-quality doctoral training, innovation, student development, collaboration with cultural and creative sector partners and strong governance arrangements. (UK Research and Innovation)
Important Notes
Status: Closed. The application deadline was 17 March 2026. Next round: AHRC has not announced the next Focal Awards: Art History, Visual Arts and Creative Practice competition. Future doctoral focal award opportunities will be published through the UKRI Funding Finder. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
17 March 2026, 4:00 PM UK time
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 17 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- Funding for 25 to 30 doctoral studentships per award across three cohorts. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Doctoral Training Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Museums, galleries, heritage organisations, archives, visual arts, design, creative industries, cultural institutions and related sectors.
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 9 Dec 2025