Dates and times are subject to change. More information on the exact dates and admission procedures will be communicated on this page continuously. For questions, please contact the Programme Coordination.
2024 Second Call
Feedback on submitted proposals is expected by the end of November 2024. The programme is based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and around scenarios relating to planetary boundaries (Earth4All, 2022). We expect compelling proposals for practice-based research projects in the field of eco-social innovation in design. The PhD projects should explore topics that align with the work of one of the Lucerne School of Art and Design's research groups, and with the NID’s key research areas (crafts and culture, innovation, entrepreneurship). If you are not sure whether your dissertation project fits into the programme, do not hesitate to contact the Programme Coordination.
For the second call in 2024, a maximum of 3 PhD students will be accepted into the programme. Depending on the thematic focus, candidates admitted to the programme will pursue an independent, self-funded doctorate. If possible and if there is a thematic match, candidates can be integrated into one of the research groups and partially funded through employment at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU).
Find a full list of guides and their areas of research expertise here.
Admission Process
Eligibility Criteria
- Master's degree (MA) in design, issued by a university or university of applied sciences
- Language skills: Advanced English skills (C1/C2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Candidates must show a demonstrable interest in the thematic research foci at the NID and HSLU
- Details on the admission criteria are provided in NID’s PhD Handbook and the programme ordinances.
Proposal
Applicants must submit a proposal in English of no more than 20,000 characters that provides information about the research project:
- Overview of the field of study, academic background and research context
- Research problem and scope of the project
- Justification and significance of the project for the disciplinary context
- Research questions and objectives
- Chosen research approach and methodology
- The candidate's skills, knowledge and research or work experience is relevant to the research project
- Potential contribution of the project to knowledge creation in the subject area
- Explanation of how the practical and research objectives relate to each other
The following documents must be attached to the proposal as a single PDF document (maximum size 5MB):
- CV: maximum 2 pages or link to online profile
- Optional: Portfolio: practice-related work from research and/or creative activity (please list download link in the proposal)
The following documents must be uploaded together in a second PDF document (maximum size 10MB):
- Copy of passport (first and last page)
- Degree certificates (Bachelor and Master) with Diploma Supplement
- Further qualifications
- Employment references
- Written confirmation from the employer (if available) with their agreement to participate in the doctoral programme (‘NOC - no objection certificate’)
The submitted proposals are checked at the NID with the help of an anti-plagiarism tool in order to verify the originality of the dissertation project presented. Detailed information on the structure of the proposal, the documents to be submitted and the admission process can be found in the NID's PhD Handbook.
Proposal Submission
The proposal including all documents must be submitted online via the NID registration platform under «Admissions 2024-25 for PhD in Design (2nd Round)». The HSLU itself does not accept proposals. Questions regarding the submission of documents will be answered by the NID.
Selection Process
The multi-stage selection process is conducted by the NID and exclusively takes place online. Both the NID and the HSLU are represented on the selection committee. The formal correctness of the proposals submitted is verified according to the requirements and thematic alignment with the key research areas of either university and the candidate’s potential guides. Candidates who meet the criteria will be admitted to the admission process at the NID and present their proposal in an online interview. Candidates with less than 15 years of work experience must also pass a written test (Design Research Test). Cf. the PhD Handbook of the NID.
Programme Start
Admitted candidates will begin their doctoral studies at the NID tbd and at HSLU on 24 February 2025.
For questions and further information, please directly contact the NID.
