The ENCATC Research Award is a yearly prize established in 2014 that recognizes exceptional doctoral/PhD research that advances cultural policy, management, and education. As the leading European network in these fields, ENCATC ensures that the award reflects the interconnected nature and evolving challenges of these domains within a rapidly changing global context.
This award recognizes research that demonstrates academic rigor and originality while proving methodological innovation, interdisciplinary approaches, and meaningful impact. The award highlights research that pushes beyond traditional boundaries to address complex issues in transformative ways.
The call for applications for the 2025 edition is out. Read the call to find out more on eligibility criteria, application procedure, documentation required and much more.
What is the aim?
This prestigious recognition aims to stimulate academic research in the field of cultural management and policy with an emphasis on its applied implications. The Award also has the ambition to contribute to the process of creating a network of scholars who are competent in doing ground-breaking research projects in cultural policy and cultural management.
What could I win?
The Award consists in a new book based on the winning doctoral thesis being published in the ENCATC Advances in Cultural Management and Policy Book Series, a series of publications specialising in topics related to cultural management and cultural policy. The ENCATC Book Series is now edited by Routledge, the world’s leading academic publisher in the Humanities, Social Sciences and STEM.
Who is the Research Award for?
The ENCATC Research Award targets early-career researchers in cultural policy and cultural management from Europe and beyond. In response to recent feedback, the eligibility criteria have been refined to enhance inclusivity and accessibility.
To be eligible for the ENCATC Research Award:
- Candidates of any nationality may apply and can reside in any country worldwide
- Applicants must be early-career researchers who have defended their doctoral/PhD thesis (up to 2 years after defense) and must have received a high qualification (cum laude or equivalent) in their country’s higher education system.
- The doctoral/PhD thesis must focus on topics related to cultural management and/or policy.
- Doctoral/PhD theses may be submitted in any language. However, the applicant must submit an extensive summary in English. Translation support or guidelines for non-English submissions will be clarified in future communications.
- Submitted work must be original (except for material in the public domain or included with written permission of the copyright holders). The work cannot have been previously published in whole or part except when available on a university website or in a national library.
- The submitted work must not violate or infringe any existing copyright, license, or other rights of any person or party.
- Each candidate may apply only once. These criteria reflect ENCATC’s commitment to fostering diversity and ensuring that research is recognized internationally.
What is the schedule for 2025?
8 April 2025: Launch of the 2025 Call for Applications
19 May 2025: Closing date for applications at midnight CEST Time
23 May 2025 – 23 June 2025: Assessment of the applications
24 June 2025: Announcement of the 2 shortlisted candidates
16 September 2025: ENCATC Research Award Ceremony
Do you wish to know more about the past editions of the Award? Click here to see winners and details of the previous editions.