Cambridge AHRC DLA (Doctoral Landscape Award)

The University of Cambridge is one of 50 UK institutions selected by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to join the new Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA) programme, launching in autumn 2026.

This five-year initiative replaces the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership and aims to strengthen doctoral research in the arts and humanities. Through the DLA grant, Cambridge will offer three fully funded PhD studentships per year, covering tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, and a research training support grant. In addition, the University has committed to funding three further studentships annually, expanding opportunities for outstanding researchers.

Applicants must pursue research primarily in the arts and humanities; interdisciplinary projects with a strong A&H core are also encouraged.

Cambridge will be part of the East of England and London AHRC DLA Hub, a regional network promoting collaboration, training, and the sharing of best practices across participating institutions. This partnership will help shape the future of arts and humanities research across the region.

This fund is designated to support applicants who have faced disadvantage, or come from underrepresented backgrounds, to access postgraduate study at Cambridge. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as coming from an underrepresented ethnic background (Black - Caribbean or Caribbean British; Black - African or African British; Asian - Pakistani or Pakistani British; Asian - Bangladeshi or British Bangladeshi) or having experienced educational disadvantage. The Cambridge AHRC DLA offers up to two studentships dedicated to support inclusion.