TV Phd
A unique opportunity to gain Insider knowledge of the tv industry
Are you currently an AHRC-funded PhD student with a passion for television? Curious about how your research, ideas, and creative skills could become TV projects? TV PhD is the career development programme for you.
We are supporting 15 doctoral students who want to explore how TV really works. Through industry-led training you will learn how to shape your ideas for TV audiences, grow the confidence to pitch to TV professionals, and gain real knowledge of the industry.
Successful participants also get a free pass and accommodation at the 2026 Edinburgh TV Festival, where there will be a chance to pitch your idea directly to producers and one will be selected to work with a production team – offering the rare experience of turning their research into a real TV concept.
To help ensure the best possible experience, applicants must be available to attend the online sessions on 10, 17 and 24 July, and to attend the Edinburgh TV Festival in person from 25–28 August 2026.
Applications for TV PhD 2026 are now closed.
application dates
- Applications open: Tuesday 10 February 2026
- Applications close: Thursday 26 March 2026
- Interviews: April 2026
- Candidates notified: May 2026
TV PhD 2023
TV PhD is perfect for you if you are ...
- Thinking about TV being a part of your career.
- Eager to share your academic research with TV audiences.
- Keen to learn from and connect with people from all parts of the TV industry.
The TV PhD scheme is only open to PhD Students who are currently being funded by the AHRC through an AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), or Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP). The student must be within their AHRC funding period and must have the consent of their supervisor in order to apply.
TV PhD applications will open in February 2026.
A real treat. So exciting to do something outside of what we would typically do as academics. It’s a taster of the TV industry and how you would fit into the industry.
– TV Phd delegate 2022
Connect with us
Join us on social media to keep up to date with all the latest news, or email us with any questions at TVFoundation@TheTVFestival.com