The European Network on Cultural Management and Policy, ENCATC, launches two Opportunities for Young and Emerging Researchers & Professionals, inviting PhD candidates and early-career scholars working in cultural policy and cultural management to participate in two initiatives. Both initiatives are organised within the ENCATC Congress on Cultural Management and Policy 2026, taking place 23–25 September 2026 in Nice, France, in partnership with the Université Côte d’Azur, under the theme: “Artists and Cultural & Creative Professionals at the Centre: Rethinking Work, Policy, and Cultural Ecosystems”.

The two initiatives are:

• the ENCATC Research Award, recognising outstanding doctoral research;

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. Each year, the award is presented to a recently defended doctoral/PhD thesis at the ENCATC Research Award Ceremony, held annually during the ENCATC Congress. The award exemplifies scholarly excellence by addressing contemporary issues, showcasing a robust research design, and demonstrating the potential to influence policy and benefit practitioners.

• the Young and Emerging Researchers Forum (YERF), providing a platform for PhD candidates and emerging scholars to present and discuss their research.

The ENCATC Young and Emerging Researchers Forum (YERF) is specifically designed for the new generation of talented researchers in the field of cultural management and policy, to advance in their careers and enlarge their network in Europe and beyond. It offers you a unique opportunity to: get feedback on your research, get comments from fellow young and emerging researchers, engage in discussions on shared challenges and expand your international network and develop relations for future endeavours. This year, in its 19th edition, the YERF will take place in a face-to-face format on 25 September 2026 in Nice, France, and will be chaired by Prof. Leticia Labaronne, ENCATC Vice-President, Head of the Center for Arts Management, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland).

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