Fully-Funded Pre-PhD PEERS Program for Artists at the Zurich University of the Arts

Zurich University of the Arts is offering the new pre-PhD Program called PEERS in cooperation with the Department of Performing Arts and Film, as it will support emerging artistic researchers who are interested in pursuing a doctorate in the arts.

Program details:

1. Mentoring: PEERS participants are mentored by two mentors, which are choosen individually from a pool of mentors at ZHdK, our partner universities, and beyond. Every participant receives 44 mentoring hours during the year (equivalent to one contact hour a week during the semester).
2. Workshops & training: Four intensive workshops and classes on artistic research methods, application strategies for PhD programmes, and presentation skills (14 days in total), as well as a one-week summer residency.
3. Junior Research Group (JRG): PEERS participants are part of the JRG, together with PhD students of the department. The JRG offers innovative collaboration formats, practice-led research and ongoing peer-to-peer-learning.
4. Individual development: An individual financial plan will be devised with every participant at the beginning of the programme. 

1. Participants are each awarded a personal budget of up to CHF 3’000. This amount can be used to cover research trips, equipment, books, conference or festival participation, as well as other activities and measures serving to develop one’s research plan.
2. Travel expenses to Zurich and accommodation costs are covered.
3. For a period of one year, starting in March, participants get the opportunity to benefit from an intensive mentoring and training programme. They become part of the vibrant research environment at ZHdK (such as lab-practice, colloquia, symposia, research academy), and gain access to the University’s outstanding infrastructure and relevant professional networks.
4. Participants also benefit from peer-to-peer learning in the Junior Research Group and receive tailored support aimed at promoting their individual development. They are assisted in developing their individual research plan, as well as in searching and applying for artistic PhD programmes at ZHdK and beyond.

1. Mid-career artists with profound artistic practice in theatre, dance, performance or film.
2. andidates must hold an MA or an equivalent degree.
3. They will be expected to develop research and peer learning methodologies, as well as have a viable research plan.

More about the University:

Zurich University of the Arts has approximately 2,500 students, which makes it the largest arts university in Switzerland. The university was established in 2007, following the merger between Zurich's School of Art and Design and the School of Music, Drama, and Dance. It offers courses in painting, drawing, photography, video and the moving image, installation art, sculpture, performance.

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