AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award Stuart Hall Foundation Studentships (2026)

The University of Sussex, as part of the University’s AHRC Landscape Doctoral Programme, is working in partnership with the Stuart Hall Foundation (SHF) to offer two funded studentships for the 2026-27 intake.

What you get

As an AHRC Stuart Hall Foundation postgraduate researcher you will:

  • Conduct an independent research project achievable in 3.5 years
  • Undertake a funded 3-month placement project which can be completed flexibly (part-time or in several blocks)
  • Receive a scholarship for 3.75 years for a PhD, including the placement project
  • Join a regional hub providing innovative training and development opportunities

Scholarships cover UK PhD tuition fees, a stipend at UK Research Council rates (currently £20,780 p.a.) plus some research and training costs (e.g. conferences, participant costs, overseas fieldwork, language training, placement costs). The Scholarship does not cover relocation, visa, or NHS surcharge costs.

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

Inspired by the life and work of Professor Stuart Hall, SHF works collaboratively to forge creative partnerships committed to public education and addressing urgent questions of race and inequality in culture and society. 

The recipients will benefit from working with the SHF to develop their career and research profile, forming a cohort of SHF PGRs at Sussex. They will enjoy privileged access to the work of the Foundation to be able to engage with and contribute to its resources and networks, including the annual gathering of Stuart Hall Foundation Scholars and Fellows. This is a positive action initiative under the Equality Act 2010. These studentships are available to start in October 2026. 

Eligibility

We welcome applications regardless of age, disability, religion, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.  We encourage individuals who have worked in relevant sectors, are changing disciplines or career paths or returning from career breaks, e.g. caring responsibilities, to apply. 

To be eligible for Stuart Hall Foundation award a candidate must have received an offer of a place on a PhD programme at Sussex in the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities for September 2026 and identify as:  

  • Black British (UK-permanent residents identifying as being from any Black ethnic group (including Black or Black British African, Black or Black British Caribbean, Black or Black British other or Mixed Black or Black British) 
  • A British person from an Ethnic Minority Background (UK-permanent residents identifying as being from any Black Ethnic group, any Asian Ethnic group or from an Ethnic minority group including white minorities, such as Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller groups)

Successful candidates may undertake their study full-time or part-time. No distinction is made during the selection process. Part-time students will have the same amount of funding, but this will be spread across 7.25 years (7 years for the PhD project and a 3-month internship).

Candidates who have already commenced their doctoral study (i.e. current doctoral researchers) are not eligible for studentship awards through the Landscape Award.

Number of scholarships available

2 Stuart Hall Foundation Scholarships

Deadline

12 December 2025 16:00

How to apply

There are two deadlines.

  1. If you wish to apply for a Stuart Hall Foundation studentship you must apply for a place on a PhD course at the University of Sussex by 4pm on Friday 12 December 2025.  Please indicate Stuart Hall Foundation in the Funding/Finance section.
  2. You should discuss your application with your proposed supervisor and may refine your application before the funding application deadline of 4pm on Friday 30 January 2026.  

You must also complete our EDI Monitoring form and signal your interest in the Stuart Hall Foundations awards on this brief  SHF form by the January 30 deadline

 Applications will be assessed on the quality of the research proposal, the candidate's suitability for doctoral research, and the fit with the supervisory team and wider research environment 

If you are interested in applying for a SHF scholarship, you can find out more at the Applicant Webinar on 3 December. Details to follow.

Useful links: 

https://www.vitae.ac.uk/doing-research/doing-a-doctorate 

https://leadingroutes.org/ 

https://www.stuarthallfoundation.org/about-us/scholars-and-fellows/  

Writing your research proposal : Tips for applying for a PhD at Sussex : ... : Study with us : University of Sussex 

Sponsors

 

Contact us

For questions about the Sussex PGApply applications please contact mah-pgr@sussex.ac.uk   

For questions on the scholarships funding, please contact Sussex Researcher  School: pgr-scholarships@sussex.ac.uk

 

Timetable

Deadline for submitting Sussex PGR application: 12 December 2025

Deadline for submitting final version of the application: 30 January 2026

Successful applicants will be informed by the end of April 2026.

Availability

At level(s):
PG (research)

Application deadline:
12 December 2025 16:00 (GMT)

Countries

The award is available to people from these specific countries: