Overview
The African Creativity Beyond Borders Prize Programme has secured 4 fully funded PhD scholarships, starting in October 2026.
The programme is supported by King's College London via King’s Doctoral College.
Below are the research areas in which we seek proposals from students interested in joining the programme. Of the four funded scholarships, one may be made available to international applicants. Below is an overview of the potential projects.
Please note that while lots of the projects have an international focus, the PhD programme is based in London and cannot be undertaken online or remotely. Participation in weekly seminars and other training opportunities requires applicants to reside in London (or in an area/city where commuting to London regularly is possible).
Click on the image to access specific information about each project research area. Read below for more guidelines on how to apply for the scholarships.
The programme is supported by King's College London via King’s Doctoral College.
Below are the research areas in which we seek proposals from students interested in joining the programme. Of the four funded scholarships, one may be made available to international applicants. Below is an overview of the potential projects.
Please note that while lots of the projects have an international focus, the PhD programme is based in London and cannot be undertaken online or remotely. Participation in weekly seminars and other training opportunities requires applicants to reside in London (or in an area/city where commuting to London regularly is possible).
Click on the image to access specific information about each project research area. Read below for more guidelines on how to apply for the scholarships.
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Who should apply
We welcome applications from people with:
- Academic qualifications in relevant fields (arts, humanities, creative practice, social sciences, policy and development studies)
- Passion for understanding, researching and supporting African creativity in the UK and internationally
- Interest in equality, diversity and inclusion
- Commitment to interdisciplinarity and intercultural dialogue
- Drive to generate impact and policy engagement
Funding
Funding will be for 4 years.
Both UK and international applicants are eligible, but only 1 in 4 studentships can be awarded to international applicants.
– Full tuition fees covered
– Annual stipend (UKRI rate: £22,780 (incl LWA) full-time for 2025/26)
– Research training and support
– Opportunities to attend conferences and workshops
Important Information for International Students: It is the student's responsibility to apply for their Student Visa.
Please note that the studentship does not cover the visa application fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) required for access to the National Health Service. The IHS is mandatory for anyone entering the UK on a Student Visa and is currently £776 per year for each year of study.
Both UK and international applicants are eligible, but only 1 in 4 studentships can be awarded to international applicants.
– Full tuition fees covered
– Annual stipend (UKRI rate: £22,780 (incl LWA) full-time for 2025/26)
– Research training and support
– Opportunities to attend conferences and workshops
Important Information for International Students: It is the student's responsibility to apply for their Student Visa.
Please note that the studentship does not cover the visa application fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) required for access to the National Health Service. The IHS is mandatory for anyone entering the UK on a Student Visa and is currently £776 per year for each year of study.
Key dates
Application deadline: 13 February 2026
Shortlisting will take place after applications close during February/March 2026
Interviews will take place in March/April 2026
Outcomes will be notified during May 2026
Start date: October 2026
Shortlisting will take place after applications close during February/March 2026
Interviews will take place in March/April 2026
Outcomes will be notified during May 2026
Start date: October 2026
Application process
Before you apply, please check the specific entry requirements for each PhD programme in the individual pages, and once ready, complete the application via King's Apply.
Please include a copy of your CV within the King's Apply portal. Please make sure that in your prior education, degrees and their outcomes (final grades) are included, as well as the title and final mark of your MA/MSc dissertation. Please also include the contact details of two academic referees.
Personal Statement. A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (up to 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment.
Research Proposal. A research proposal is required. The research proposal should build on the area of research identified above and the supervisors' and project partner's expertise, but also highlight how your own knowledge and background support the research and can contribute to its delivery. The proposal should be a maximum of 1,500 words (excluding references) and should include the following:
Reference. A reference is required for an application. You can enter your referee's details in the online application form. When you submit your application, your referee will be sent a link to our King’s Referee Portal, where they can provide a reference. We will not accept references from personal email addresses (e.g. Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail or other similar public systems), and we are unable to take references from family members or friends. Please use your referee’s official, professional email address.
Next Steps
Applications submitted by the closing date [13th February 2026] will be considered for funding. We will contact shortlisted applicants with information about the next part of the recruitment process. Candidates will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews are scheduled for March/April 2026.
Project selection will be conducted through a panel interview chaired by one of the African Creative Beyond Borders Programme Directors, with prospective supervisors, project partners, or other faculty members in attendance.
If you have any questions about the specific project for which you are applying, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the project's primary supervisor directly. For any other questions about the recruitment process, please email us at: [email protected]
Please include a copy of your CV within the King's Apply portal. Please make sure that in your prior education, degrees and their outcomes (final grades) are included, as well as the title and final mark of your MA/MSc dissertation. Please also include the contact details of two academic referees.
Personal Statement. A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (up to 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment.
Research Proposal. A research proposal is required. The research proposal should build on the area of research identified above and the supervisors' and project partner's expertise, but also highlight how your own knowledge and background support the research and can contribute to its delivery. The proposal should be a maximum of 1,500 words (excluding references) and should include the following:
- Proposal title. Articulating further the title of the proposed area of research
- Introduction. Including a clear statement of the proposed research question you want to address. This will include an explanation of the importance and originality of the proposed topic.
- Research Context. It highlights key academic works in this research area. It may also include a section on the lack or shortcomings of existing scholarly work. It can also include further detailing of your proposed focus/interests.
- Proposed Methodology. This describes not only your proposed methodology but also an explanation of why this methodology is the most appropriate for the proposed topic and any ethical considerations.
- Timetable. This outlines a realistic plan, including critical milestones, for completing your research and writing within four years from October 2026.
- Conclusion. It summarises what you aim to achieve with the project and its potential scholarly and broader impact. It also articulates why this research should be explicitly conducted here, within the African Creativity Beyond Borders PhD programme at King’s College London, rather than anywhere else.
- Reference. List of references cited in the proposal submitted.
Reference. A reference is required for an application. You can enter your referee's details in the online application form. When you submit your application, your referee will be sent a link to our King’s Referee Portal, where they can provide a reference. We will not accept references from personal email addresses (e.g. Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail or other similar public systems), and we are unable to take references from family members or friends. Please use your referee’s official, professional email address.
Next Steps
Applications submitted by the closing date [13th February 2026] will be considered for funding. We will contact shortlisted applicants with information about the next part of the recruitment process. Candidates will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews are scheduled for March/April 2026.
Project selection will be conducted through a panel interview chaired by one of the African Creative Beyond Borders Programme Directors, with prospective supervisors, project partners, or other faculty members in attendance.
If you have any questions about the specific project for which you are applying, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the project's primary supervisor directly. For any other questions about the recruitment process, please email us at: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions:
I live/work abroad. Am I eligible to apply for or receive a scholarship?
The application process is open to everyone, regardless of where you currently live. We have one scholarship (out of 4) that can be awarded to international applicants. However, if you are awarded a scholarship (whether you are based in the UK or abroad), you cannot undertake the PhD online or remotely. Participation in weekly seminars and other training opportunities at King's College London requires PhD candidates to reside in London (or in an area/city where commuting to London regularly is possible).
I am a creative professional. Will my experience be accounted for in the application process?
We value the experience of individuals who, beyond academic achievements, have been working in relevant creative and cultural settings and are professionals in sectors connected to the projects. This will be taken into consideration within the application process. However, before applying, we ask creative professionals to consider the full-time commitment of a PhD, how compatible (or not) this might be with their other professional commitments (also in consideration of the PhD being London-based), and whether these commitments can be put on the side to focus on the PhD for 3 or 4 years.
A self-funded part-time PhD might be a better option if you want to have more flexibility in continuing your professional career alongside the PhD.
A self-funded part-time PhD might be a better option if you want to have more flexibility in continuing your professional career alongside the PhD.
