Collections & Communities in the East of England Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award 2027: PhD Studentship Proposals Across Cambridge, Norfolk, Colchester, Ipswich and Peterborough
The Collections & Communities in the East of England Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award 2027 invites project proposals for PhD studentships utilizing cultural collections. Five studentships are planned for the 2027/28 academic year through a two-stage application process.
Overview
The Collections & Communities in the East of England Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award (CC-EE) seeks project proposals for PhD studentships for the 2027/28 academic year. The initiative plans to allocate five studentships, with projects expected to commence in October 2027. This call targets potential PhD supervisors and collaborative project partners—such as university academics and staff at collecting institutions—rather than individual students applying directly for admission.
Successful projects must involve a partnership between at least two participating CC-EE collections located across Cambridge, Norfolk, Colchester, Ipswich, or Peterborough and a UK university. Research must employ arts and humanities methodologies and ideally connect to themes of belonging, resilience, and ecologies.
Eligibility
- University Staff: Academics and staff based at a UK Higher Education Institution proposing collaborations with multiple collecting institutions.
- Collections Staff: Staff working at participating CC-EE collections. Note that a proposed collections-based supervisor is not required to hold a PhD.
- Geographical Focus: Projects must utilize collections situated in the East of England, specifically across Cambridge, Norfolk, Colchester, Ipswich, and Peterborough.
Benefits
- Access to participating cultural and collecting institutions across the region.
- Collaborative supervisory support and training for supervisors new to doctoral supervision.
- Consortium training and UK-wide Collaborative Doctoral Programme training for successful doctoral researchers.
- Dedicated research funds to support project activities.
How to Apply
The programme operates a two-stage selection process:
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Applicants must complete and submit the official Expression of Interest form. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with the CC-EE team and relevant collection partners prior to submission.
- Full Application: Applicants whose EOI proposals are successful will be invited to submit a full application.
Access the official EOI form via the application link provided.
Deadline
The Expression of Interest deadline is 26 October 2026 at 12:00 noon. The subsequent Full Application deadline is 16 December 2026 at 12:00 noon.