As part of the ÉCOLAB Research Unit, supported by the Ministry of Culture, ESAD Orléans offers a postgraduate research programme.
The ESAD Orléans postgraduate research programme is designed to welcome, guide and support all artists or designers with projects related to the school’s art and design research programmes. It is aimed at holders of a DNSEP or Master’s degree in design, art, architecture or engineering.
The postgraduate research programme is a course of study within the ECOLAB Research Unit, centred on the research-creation project led by the student-researcher. It runs for 12 months. The programme is tailored individually to the research project and includes interim reports (project definition, project methodology, final output in the form of a prototype, installation, publication, exhibition, etc., and submission of the research dossier). Personalised supervision is provided by a research supervisor. Students may request to join the team of one of the four research programmes within the ECOLAB Research Unit.
The postgraduate research programme is supported by partner institutions (the University of Orléans, ENSAPVS, Polytech Orléans, LAB’O, Le Studium, etc.) and is structured to meet the needs of the student-researcher.
Status
Each enrolled student is granted the status of a student at ESAD Orléans and an associate researcher at ÉCOLAB for the duration of their postgraduate programme.
Upon completion of the postgraduate programme, if the student has been accepted onto a research programme, they may apply to enter the second year of the DSRD, subject to the approval of the director of the research programme and the director of ÉCOLAB.
Capacity in 2026
2 candidates maximum
2026 Timeline
Call for applications: to be announced
Deadline for applications: to be announced
Selection interview: to be announced
Start of the course: Early September 2026
Application File:
- A CV (detailing your educational background, professional experience, exhibitions, publications, research projects, etc.)
- A research portfolio, in electronic format only, presenting a selection of work produced by the candidate (texts, photographs, films, catalogues, articles, exhibitions)
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining the candidate’s background, past experience, creative and/or research approach, and their interests in the postgraduate programme, as well as the research programme and specialisation of their choice.
Please email your application to: contact-recherche@esad-orleans.fr