Fully Funded Doctoral Landscape Award: NetZero Futures (Cohort 2, 2026/2027)
Funding Providers: EPSRC and Royal College of Art (RCA)
Location: London, UK
Funding for: UK, EU, and International Students
Project Description
The NetZero Futures (NZF) Doctoral Landscape Award is a fully funded EPSRC studentship with the Royal College of Art.
The strategic vision of NZF unites RCA-wide Art and Design research across three core areas of research competence: Circular Economy, Ecological Digital Citizenship, and Robotics & AI. These areas align with the EPSRC Discovery priority of Digital Futures, and the Mission-Inspired priorities of Engineering Net Zero and Artificial Intelligence.
This vision also reflects RCA’s institutional research priorities: Climate Crisis and the Circular Economy, and Design & AI. The award aims to strengthen RCA’s doctoral research culture by attracting PhD candidates whose work directly contributes to these areas.
The RCA has an established track record in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) teaching and research. We foster an interdisciplinary environment where researchers from art, design, and STEM—particularly engineering—collaborate. Through design-led approaches, our community develops human-centred solutions to some of the most significant challenges of the 21st century.
Doctoral candidates will be based within one of the following host Research Areas:
- The Materials Science Research Centre (MSRC)
- The RCA Robotics Laboratory
- Ecological Digital Citizenship /School of Design
When applying, please make it clear that you are applying for the NetZero Futures Doctoral Landscape Award.
Key Details
Application Deadline: Monday 19 January 2026
Start Date: September 2026
Mode of Study: Full-time or Part-time
Funding Details
- Full tuition fees (UK, EU, and International)
- Annual stipend of £23,121.70 (full-time equivalent)
Further Information
For full details, application guidance, and information about the upcoming webinar, please visit:
RCA Benefits available here: https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/work-at-the-rca/staff-benefits/
The Royal College of Art (RCA) aims to foster an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students and stakeholders are respected.
We recognise the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings and how this strengthens our research and enhances our teaching. In order for RCA to remain a world-leading institution we are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout all of our processes, from application through to appointment.
Please tell us if you need any assistance in applying or if you need the information in a different format. In your message to resourcing@rca.ac.uk include:
- the web address (URL) of the content
- your email address and name
More information here