Four fully funded PhD scholarships is open to register at King’s College London through The African Creativity Beyond Borders Prize Programme, for October 2026 intake. These scholarships support advanced research on African creativity, culture, and its global influence. Of the four available scholarships, one may be awarded to an international applicant.
This programme seeks to nurture researchers who will contribute to expanding global understanding of African creative industries, intercultural exchange, and the sociocultural impact of African artistic practices. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in March–April 2026, with final decisions communicated in May 2026.
Who Should Apply
Applications are welcome from individuals with:
- Academic qualifications in relevant fields (arts, humanities, creative practice, social sciences, policy and development studies)
- A passion for researching, understanding, and supporting African creativity in the UK and internationally
- Interest in equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Commitment to interdisciplinarity and intercultural dialogue
- Motivation to generate real-world impact and engage with policy
The programme strongly encourages applications from candidates who identify as Black / Mixed Black or who have diasporic or heritage roots in Africa.
Funding and Support
Each PhD scholarship provides four years of full funding, including:
- Full tuition fees
- Annual stipend (UKRI rate: £22,780 including London Weighting Allowance for 2025/26)
- Research training and academic development
- Funding for conference and workshop participation
Important Information for International Students
International applicants are responsible for securing their Student Visa.
The scholarship does not cover visa costs or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is required for access to the UK’s National Health Service and currently costs £776 per year.
Only one of the four scholarships may be awarded to an international candidate.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 13 February 2026
- Shortlisting: February–March 2026
- Interviews: March–April 2026
- Outcome notifications: May 2026
- Start date: October 2026
Application Process
Applicants must submit their materials through King’s Apply.
Required Materials
1. Curriculum Vitae
Include full academic history, degree outcomes, dissertation title and grade, and contact details of two academic referees.
2. Personal Statement
Up to 4,000 characters, written directly in the portal or uploaded as a document.
3. Research Proposal
Maximum 1,500 words (excluding references). It must include:
- Proposal Title
- Introduction: research question, importance, originality
- Research Context: key literature, gaps, and relevance
- Proposed Methodology: justification, approach, ethical considerations
- Timetable: four-year plan with milestones
- Conclusion: expected contribution, rationale for undertaking the PhD within this programme at King’s
- References
4. Academic Transcripts and Certificates
Applicants must upload official transcripts; non-English documents require certified translations.
5. Reference
Referees must submit letters through the King’s Referee Portal using an official institutional email address.
Next Steps
Applications submitted by 13 February 2026 will be reviewed for funding eligibility. Shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited for panel interviews involving programme directors, supervisors, and partners.
For project-specific questions, applicants should contact the primary supervisor listed for the chosen research area.
General enquiries may be sent to: african-creativity-beyond@kcl.ac.uk
King’s College London’s African Creativity Beyond Borders Prize Programme is offering four fully funded PhD scholarships beginning in October 2026, with one scholarship available to an international applicant. The programme supports research on African creativity across arts, humanities, social sciences, and related fields, and encourages applications from candidates with African, Black, or mixed-Black heritage. Scholarships cover full tuition, a UKRI-rate annual stipend, research training, and conference participation for four years. Applicants must submit a CV, personal statement, research proposal, transcripts, and academic references via King’s Apply. The application deadline is 13 February 2026, with shortlisting in February/March, interviews in March/April, and final decisions in May.
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