educational research programme focusing on the Aral region
as a laboratory for our global future
The Aral School is an ecological education programme in Nukus, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, committed to the social, ecological, and cultural regeneration of the Aral Sea region. Reframing environmental challenges through education, local community engagement, and global expertise, the Aral School develops new solutions for the region and wider world facing broken ecosystems and the impact of climate change.
Core research
themes
The theme of the Aral School's second cohort is Climate and Landscape.
Where the first cohort studied food and water at the scale of the household, the second asks what territory produces this food and water, and what territory they produce in return: soils, hydrology, wind and salt, irrigation and the history of agriculture, and the cultural and social life that a changing landscape shapes.
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Who can apply
The multidisciplinary programme is aimed at young professionals from Uzbekistan and abroad with varied backgrounds and work experience in the fields of architecture, urbanism, environmental science, biotech, climate studies, filmmaking, media, crafts, design, computer technologies, social studies, physical sciences and other fields.
It is recommended that applicants to the programme have a higher education diploma (in any specialisation) and no less than 2–3 years of work experience.
When reviewing applications, we focus on how potential researchers could apply their expertise to the research agenda of the programme and current theme.
- No tuition fee
- Prototyping, material costs, research trips and accommodation are included
- Monthly participation stipend
- Visibility and exposure to global and local creative network
- Contact with international experts on a 1-1 basis
- Publication of the cohort developments and outcome in a respective print format
- A growing cohort of Aral School alumni, who remain connected in the future
- Completed higher education
- 2–3 years of work experience
- Fluency in English
- High level of motivation and self-organisation
Upon applications and portfolio review, selected candidates will be invited for a creative interview session to share their areas of interests and motivations.
Please submit the following documents together with your application:
- CV + Creative Portfolio (PDF, not exceeding a total of 10 pages and 5 projects) – your portfolio should contain examples of projects and/or research work completed in the last few years and demonstrate your skills and expertise as well as interest in the themes of focus of the Aral School. Please embed any video material within the Portfolio PDF
- Copy of a university diploma
- Motivation letter – please explain in no more than 600 words why you are interested in the program and how it connects to your area of research or practice
- Passport photo page scan.
Please note, only fully completed applications as per the list above will be considered.
FAQ
There are no tuition fees. Education at the Aral School is free. All students receive a monthly stipend.
Upon graduation, you will receive a Certificate of Participation signed and stamped by Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation.
The Aral School is a multidisciplinary programme. We welcome specialists from diverse backgrounds.
For the participants coming from outside of Nukus the School will provide shared accommodation.
Aral School provides a monthly stipend to cover most of your living expenses. Apart from your personal expenses, there are no additional programme-related costs you need to cover. Any field trip expenses as part of the programme will also be covered by the School.
The working language of the programme is English; all workshops and projects are conducted in English, so fluency is essential. Please note that the programme runs at a fast pace with many international experts, and you need to be able to communicate fluently in English on a daily basis and take part in weekly creative discussions.
Yes, it is mandatory to be fully present in Uzbekistan and take part in all activities on-site in a creative and immersive environment. Since the programme is focused on highly contextual prototypes and scenario planning, it also includes ongoing research, conversations, and field trips in and around Nukus city.
Yes, the programme is full-time. Classes and workshops take place daily from Monday to Friday during regular working hours. Depending on the week, the programme may also include additional cultural and social activities.
We strongly advise against combining the Aral School with any other educational or work-related duties.
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About ACDF
The Aral School is an initiative of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF).
The Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) preserves, promotes, and nurtures Uzbekistan’s heritage, arts, and culture. Positioned at the forefront of Uzbekistan’s cultural development, ACDF is committed to fostering the country’s cultural ecosystem, driving the creative economy, and providing opportunities for practitioners on local, regional, and global stages. ACDF believes that culture and heritage are vital in shaping society, uniting communities, bridging generations, and facilitating cross-cultural conversations.
ACDF has successfully led the fourth edition of the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) (24–26 October 2024 in Tashkent) and the inaugural Aral Culture Summit (4–6 April 2025 in Nukus, Karakalpakstan). The Foundation currently spearheads Uzbekistan’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (April–October 2025), the revitalization of the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Tashkent, the construction of the new National Museum of Uzbekistan designed by Tadao Ando, and the restoration and partial reconstruction of the Palace of the Grand Duke of Romanov.
ACDF has also launched “Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI,” an ongoing research project documenting and protecting the city’s modernist architecture, highlighted by two significant publications in collaboration with Rizzoli New York (published November 2024) and Lars Müller Publishers (published May 2025). In Bukhara, ACDF is launching the first Bukhara Biennial in September 2025. In Samarkand, ACDF will host the forthcoming 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference (30 October – 13 November 2025).
To date, ACDF has reached over 3.5 million visitors through landmark exhibitions across 77 countries: from the Louvre and Arab World Institute in Paris to the Uffizi in Florence, the British Museum in London, and the Palace Museum in Beijing. With projects presented across Europe, Asia, and the Gulf, and collaborations with over 40 international museums and cultural institutions, the Foundation is amplifying Uzbek voices and stories in the world’s most influential cultural arenas.
