How can I work with the V&A as part of my PhD?
I am a prospective PhD researcher with my own topic and research proposal, can the V&A act as a partner?
PhD researchers who have developed their own research proposal can explore the potential of the V&A acting as a partner for a funding application via a UK university (e.g. Doctoral Focal Awards or Doctoral Landscape Awards). However, the V&A's ability to support an application will be based upon strategic alignment and staff capacity.
Please contact vari@vam.ac.uk at least six months in advance of any application deadlines with any queries.
I am a prospective PhD researcher and would like to apply for a Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award, can I propose my own project?
No. Projects are designed by V&A members of staff and academics from a partner UK university. Projects are available for application via partner university application portals in the spring of each application round.
Full details of projects will be available from February onwards.
I am a PhD researcher and I require access to V&A collections to complete a section of my PhD, how do I do this?
The V&A’s collections are open for research, and we encourage PhD researchers to engage actively with them.
Please read our guidance below for information on how to access our collections.
Types of Collaborative Doctoral Projects
Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Awards provide funding for a Collaborative Doctoral project jointly supervised by V&A staff and academics based at a UK university. These projects are co-designed and co-developed between the supervisors, responding to strategic research needs within the V&A. Projects are selected by the V&A through an annual competition.
The V&A has been awarded 14 studentships by the Arts and Humanities Research Council for four cohort years (2027 – 30).
We aim to select five Collaborative Doctoral Projects to commence on 1 October 2027. Projects must be jointly proposed by a V&A member of staff and an academic based at a UK university.
Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDAs) are collaborative studentships offered through the AHRC’s new Doctoral Training Investment Framework. CDAs may be created through Doctoral Focal Awards or Doctoral Landscape Awards. Projects are selected by the university consortia through annual competitions.
Each consortia have different criteria for the design, development and selection of CDA projects. Academics or prospective PhD candidates are advised to contact the V&A as far in advance of submission deadlines as possible. The V&A’s ability to engage with projects will be determined by strategic alignment and staff capacity.
The V&A is a project partner for the Kings College London-led ADAPT-AI consortium.
Other opportunities may be provided by universities through their own PhD funding schemes. These university scholarships usually match the minimum stipend provided by UKRI.
Each scholarship programme has different criteria for the design, development and selection of CDA projects. Academics or prospective PhD candidates are advised to contact the V&A as far in advance of submission deadlines as possible. The V&A’s ability to engage with projects will be determined by strategic alignment and staff capacity.
Please address any enquiries regarding Collaborative Doctoral Projects at the V&A to: vari@vam.ac.uk and give at least six-months in advance of any application deadlines.
The V&A will advertise studentships funded through the Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award scheme from Spring 2027.