PhD fellowships at the Schools of Arts
The PhD candidate is an artist or a designer and holds a relevant Master’s degree (or equally) in the study areas of Music, Performing Arts or Fine Arts. Applicants are expected to conduct research that explores issues or methodologies situated in or proceeding from their own artistic or design practice, with due sense of discursivity.
The PhD proposal should correspond to ARIA’s vision. An artistic entrance exam may be organised during the application procedure
The PhD candidate can't submit the proposal to more than one School of Arts !
PhD fellowships at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
The Council of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp launches, in collaboration with ARIA (University of Antwerp), a call for proposals for PhD Fellowships starting in September 2025.
At the Academy, research is conducted within four research groups. This call is open to researchers whose proposals align with the research lines of these groups and who wish to contribute to their advancement. The research groups provide a supportive and relevant context for doctoral research.
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp grants two PhD fellowships in 2025.
Timeline, preparation, and formal requirements
Applications must be submitted by 17 March 2025 (noon). Each application should be supervised by two promoters: one from the University of Antwerp and one from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. All formal requirements must be met by the deadline.
To ensure smooth preparation, the following timeline applies:
- By 1 February 2025: Identify and secure one supervisor from the University of Antwerp and one from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.
- From the Academy, any staff member with relevant expertise can act as a supervisor. They must be able to supervise the entire research duration (48 months), with a maximum of two applications per staff member to ensure high-quality guidance. An overview of the staff members can be found here.
- At the University of Antwerp, any ZAP (Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel) member can act as a supervisor. Focus your search within the relevant faculty.
- By 17 March 2025 (12:00): Submit your application, signed by both supervisors (University of Antwerp and Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp). Notify the coordinator of the relevant research group in advance to obtain their support and signature.
Deadlines
- Agreement of promoters: before 1 February 2025
- Application deadline: Monday 17 March 2025 (12:00)
- Evaluation by selection committee: April 2025
- Decision by the Council of the Royal Academy: May 2025 (results communicated shortly thereafter)
- Start of mandates: 15 September 2025
Additional information
Application Submission
Applications must be completed using the Application Form for PhD Mandate. For questions regarding the form or the procedure, contact the head of research, Els De bruyn, at els.debruyn@ap.be.
Submit your completed and signed application (in a single PDF document) to els.debruyn@ap.be no later than 17 March 2025 - 12:00.
PhD fellowships at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp
The Council of the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp (Schools of Arts AP University College) is launching, in collaboration with ARIA (University of Antwerp), a call for proposals for PhD Fellowships.
Deadlines
- Agreement of promoters and research group: before 1 February 2025
- Deadline proposal submission: 1 March 2025 (12 pm)
- Start fellowships: 15 September 2025
PhD Fellowships in the Arts 2025 Royal Conservatoire Antwerp
The Royal Conservatoire Antwerp grants three PhD fellowships in 2025 (starting 15/09/2025).
Preconditions
The PhD candidate is an artist and holds a relevant master’s degree (or equally) in the study areas of Music or Performing Arts. Applicants are expected to conduct research that explores issues or methodologies situated in or proceeding from their own artistic or design practice, with due sense of discursivity.
The PhD proposal should be in line with, endorse and further develop the mission/vision of the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp.
The PhD proposal should correspond to the vision of ARIA. If the Schools of Arts organize an artistic admission test, passing that test is an additional condition.
The applicant is in the possibility to be legally employed by the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp/AP University College in a contractual engagement of 4 (academic) years (55% research assignment). For foreign doctoral candidates, this means that they have a work permit for Belgium.
The PhD proposal can only be submitted in Dutch or in English (see application form).
Applications (deadline 1 March 2025)
Timeline preparation application & formal requirements
Applications submitted by March 1 are expected to be embedded in one (or more) research group(s), to be supervised by two promoters (UAntwerp and Conservatoire) and to formally meet all requirements. For the proper course of events, the steps to be taken to this end are subject to the following timetable:
Please contact the chairperson(s)/ coordinator(s) of the research group(s) you wish to join well in advance before the deadline so that they are aware of your application and can inform you whether or not they wish to support your application. Research groups can also assist in the search for your two supervisors. By 1 February 2025 at the latest, you should have found one supervisor from the University of Antwerp and one from the School of Arts willing to support your application and research proposal.
You should submit your application no later than March 1, 2025 - 12pm. Upon submission, a signature of your supervisor(s) (UAntwerp and Conservatoire) is required in order for your application to be formally in order. It is also advisable that the chairperson(s) / coordinator(s) of the research group(s) supporting your proposal co-sign the application (see form).
For practical information about how PhD programmes are organised at ARIA, please consult the roadmap.
Appendice: Flemish research discipline list
Application form & deadline
Applications should be made by using the Fellowship Application Form. If you have any questions about this form or the procedure, please contact the Head of Research Kevin Voets: kevin.voets@ap.be.
The completed and signed form (Word & pdf) should be sent to the head of Research Kevin Voets before 1 March 2025 - 12pm: kevin.voets@ap.be
Specifically for doctorates in Music, there is the international doctoral programme docARTES (a collaboration between the Universities of Leuven, Antwerp and Leiden, the conservatories of Leuven, Antwerp, The Hague and Amsterdam and the Orpheus Institute in Ghent).
Non-fellowship based PhD proposals Royal Conservatoire Antwerp
The Council of the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp (Schools of Arts AP University College) is launching, in collaboration with ARIA (University of Antwerp), a call for proposals for PhD research.
Deadlines
- Agreement of promoters and research group: before 1 February 2025
- Deadline proposal submission: 1 March 2025 (12 pm)
- Start trajectory: 15 September 2025
Non-fellowship based PhD proposals Royal Conservatoire Antwerp
Externally funded PhD research application (deadline 1 March 2025)
Besides the remunerated PhD fellowships, at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp there is also the option of doing a PhD relying on external funding. In that case, your application is not in response to the call above but you do apply with the same form and follow the same timeline before the same deadline. The Schools of Arts may decide to limit the number of externally funded PhD places available. Find out what the options are before you begin.
Timeline preparation application & formal requirements
Applications submitted by March 1 are expected to be embedded in one (or more) research group(s), to be supervised by two promoters (UAntwerp and Conservatoire) and to formally meet all requirements. For the proper course of events, the steps to be taken to this end are subject to the following timetable:
Please contact the chairperson(s)w / coordinator(s) of the research group(s) you wish to join well in advance before the deadline, so that they are aware of your application and can inform you whether or not they wish to support your application. Research groups can also assist in the search for your two supervisors. By 1 February 2025 at the latest, you should have found one supervisor from the University of Antwerp and one from the School of Arts willing to support your application and research proposal.
You should submit your application no later than March 1, 2025 - 12pm. Upon submission, a signature of your supervisor(s) (UAntwerp and Conservatoire) is required in order for your application to be formally in order. It is also advisable that the chairperson(s)/ coordinator(s) of the research group(s) supporting your proposal co-sign the application (see form).
For practical information about how PhD programmes are organised at ARIA, please consult the roadmap.
Appendice: Flemish research discipline list
Application form & deadline
Applications should be made by using the Fellowship Application Form. If you have any questions about this form or the procedure, please contact the Head of Research Kevin Voets: kevin.voets@ap.be.
The completed and signed form (Word & pdf) should be sent before 1 March 2025 - 12pm to the head of Research Kevin Voets: kevin.voets@ap.be