Call for Applications 2026: Artistic Research PhD Programme (PhD in Art)

Application period:
February 9 – 20, 2026, noon (CET)
Exclusively via the Angewandte Application Tool.

Start of studies:
October 2026

Q&A Session:
28 January 2026, 14:00 – 15:00 (CET)
Online on Zoom
https://dieangewandte-at.zoom.us/j/68203067454
Meeting ID: 682 0306 7454

The course of study is organised around topics and practices of artistic research, whereby the focus is on artistic work understood as the basis for knowledge production. Reflection on, and exploration of, specific methods and production processes in each candidate’s realisation of their artistic project is integral to the development and a critical component of the artistic research work. The final thesis consists of artistic work and a reflective documentation of the knowledge gained from the project. Artistic research, understood in the sense of comprehensive knowledge production, is defined as an open-ended process. The supervisors are professors at the Angewandte and are recommended by the commission responsible for selecting the candidates.

Among the selection criteria (see admission procedure) are up-to-dateness, innovative potential and prospective social relevance of the planned artistic research proposal, ability of critical writing and the demonstration of knowledge of the national and international artistic and research context. Proof of general eligibility for postgraduate university admission (e.g. evidence of a completed, subject-relevant diploma or master programme at a university or college of higher education) and the favourable completion of the admission procedure is necessary. In addition to providing proof of qualification in terms of artistic development – documented by submitting a CV and a portfolio of artistic work – candidates must also submit a written exposé.

The documents for the admission procedure are:

• Professional artistic and academic CV.
• Exposé outlining the planned activity within the field of artistic research (max. 1,200 words, incl.footnotes, excl. abstract and bibliography).
  The exposé should include the explicit research question or hypothesis; discuss the research context, methodology, project goal, and ideas for reflexive documentation while also providing a time plan for the project’s realisation. Please, include a paragraph indicating the field of your artistic research in relation to a potential supervisor1 at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (any person holding an artistic venia docendi).
  (1 It is up to the commission to evaluate this part and to check the adequacy and availability of the potential colleague. You neither need to, nor should you, provide evidence of such colleagues’ availability, letters of their support, or reviews of your work prior to your submission.)
• Portfolio

The proposal should be preceded by an abstract (max. 300 words), including the explicit research question.
All documents should be in English and compiled into a single PDF file in the following order: CV, exposé, portfolio. The PDF may be no larger than 50 MB. The PDF may contain links for downloading relevant material in widely used digital formats. Please, be aware that applications that exceed or do not fulfil the requirements will not be considered.

The application has to be uploaded online via the Angewandte application tool: https://application.uni-ak.ac.at The application tool is open from February 9 – 20, 2026. Applicants have to create and confirm a profile and upload the application document.

According to the admission process protocol, valid applications are evaluated by an examination board consisting of teaching staff members appointed by the University of Applied Arts’ rectorate. The committee is to determine whether applicants fulfil the requirements, select the most suitable candidates, and recommend supervisors for the individual projects.
The results of the admission procedure will be communicated to applicants by August 2026 at the latest. Admission to the programme does not imply the financing of the study.
Physical attendance is obligatory in the mandetory program.