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How to Apply
The competitive process for applications for AD[A]PT studentships will begin in December 2025 for starting the PhD program at one of our host Universities in October 2026.
Each studentship is fully funded for three years and six months, up to a maximum of four years, of full-time study. Costs covered include a stipend at UKRI payment rates, and institutional Home Student PGR fees.
Both International students and home students are welcome to apply, but please note that we are limited due to AHRC funding rules to award only up to 30% of all studentships to international applicants, and that international students will have to source for themselves the additional funding required to cover the PGR fee rates applied to international students.
Some studentships will include a Collaborative Doctoral Award placement with one of our Steering Group Partners, which involves an annual studentship top-up.
Our program will be advertising for a total of 20 studentships with new intakes occurring over four years starting in October 2026.
There will be:
six studentships awarded in the first cohort (starting 1 October 2026)
six studentships awarded in the second cohort (starting 1 October 2027)
four studentships awarded in the third cohort (starting 1 October 2028)
four studentships awarded in the fourth cohort (starting 1 October 2029)
Details on how to apply can be found below and by downloading the document 2026-27 AD[A]PT Call for Proposals and Award Details to find out more.
Scroll down to reach the application documents you will need.
Recruitment for the first cohort of AD[A]PT Doctoral Focal Award AHRC funded studentships is now open
We invite proposals from prospective candidates who wish to study with us and welcome applicants from a diverse range of disciplinary backgrounds, skills and research interests.
You can apply by either:
a) developing your own research topic proposal that addresses our call themes and priorities, outlined in the AD[A]PT Call for Proposals document, or
b) respond to a set research brief that has been developed by the academic team with input and feedback from our 13 partner organisations.
You can only make one application to the program
so when you apply you need to select the institution that you wish to study at, and apply there.
Please only make your selection after reading the AD[A]PT Call for Proposals document, as each institution is putting forward different research briefs and likely Collaborative Doctoral Award (CDA) opportunities, as outlined in that document.
A total of six studentships in the first cohort will be awarded for a start date of 1st October 2026:
2 studentships based at Oxford Brookes University: one at the School of Architecture, one at the School of Built Environment
2 studentships based at Cardiff University’s Welsh School of Architecture
2 studentships based at Falmouth University’s School of Architecture, Design and Interiors.
Some studentships we are offering will be supported by a Collaborative Doctoral Award (CDA), which involves co-supervision and a placement with one of our CDA Partners. Possible CDA topics are outlined in the call document.
To apply, download the two documents below, fill them in, and include them in your application.
You must also fill in an EDI Monitoring Survey.
Your application must include the two documents, and you must fill in the EDI survey, to be considered for the studentships.
Timeline for Applicants
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You will have three months to prepare your application. There are two webinars you can attend to get some guidance and to ask questions of the AD[A]PT team.
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You will need to submit your application paperwork by no later than this date to be considered for the studentship awards.
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All applications will be reviewed internally at each institution by way of a 2 stage process to enable a blind review of the research proposal on its own, to help reduce the chance of unconscious bias.
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Interviewees can request reasonable adjustments. Each interviewee will receive 1-2 specific questions about their proposal they need to respond to at the interview; they will also be provided with a list of generic questions that may form part of the interview to help them prepare.
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Shortlisted applicants will be notified by late April as to their interview date and time, which will be held online. They will be given a list of possible interview questions asked of all applicants, alongside a question prepared by a subject specialist which they will be given beforehand to devise a response.
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Unconditional offer letters to be issued by each institution.
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If awarded, you must be available to start in person at your host institution at the start of the award.
Things to help you apply … first find out more about the host universities and schools you will be joining here …
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School of Architecture / School of Built Environment, Oxford Brookes University
Both the School of Architecture and the School of the Built Environment will be hosting studentships. We offer a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community based around a high-quality studio and research cultures, shaped by our passion for design, making and shaping the built environment in a socially responsible way.
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Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University
As a world-leading, agenda-setting institution, we foster a collaborative environment for teaching and research. Embracing the diversity and transdisciplinarity of architecture, we strive for excellence in education and research across design, the arts, humanities and sciences.
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School of Architecture, Design and Interiors, Falmouth University
The School of Architecture, Design, and Interiors (SADI) aspires to lead in practice-based design innovation, addressing global challenges through human-centred design, sustainable projects, and creative applications of advanced digital tools.
Attend an information webinar …
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AD[A]PT Information Webinar for Prospective Applicants (via Zoom)
ONLINE via ZOOM (register to get the link)
WEDNESDAY 14th JANUARY 2026,
12pm-1.30pm GMT
In this introductory session, you will be introduced to the opportunity, the application process and some top tips on how to prepare your documents. There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the session.
CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
> PLEASE ENSURE YOU DO SO AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE THE SESSION TO RECEIVE THE WEBINAR LINK<
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AD[A]PT Question & Answer Session for Prospective Applicants (via Zoom)
ONLINE via ZOOM (register to get the link)
WEDNESDAY 25th FEBRUARY 2026,
6pm-7pm GMT
In this final session before the submission deadline, this session provides applicants with a further chance to ask questions of the AD[A]PT academic team about the process and your developing proposal.
CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
> PLEASE ENSURE YOU DO SO AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE THE SESSION TO RECEIVE THE WEBINAR LINK<