Rationale The CrD Consortium identified the need for higher arts education (HAE) to fully use the potential of all cycles of the EQF especially with regard to the alignment and interaction of graduate, post-graduate and doctoral studies. Currently, in over 30% of the European Higher Arts Education (EHAE) sector, this is not possible in the 3rd cycle due to the lack of instruments and models that will allow learning, teaching and research to enhance each other within these schools. ObjectivesCrD facilitates the implementation of level 8 (PhD or equivalent) in those countries in the EHEA in which no such provision current exists. It facilitates the development of models of good practice in artistic research in partner institutions in conjunction with professional practice partners. CrD enables staff to enhance the currency of the curriculum at all levels by means of their own professional development.CrD has developed a COMPLEMENTARY offer that addresses an omission in the Bologna Process caused by binary systems and the various speeds in which HAE is aligned with the overall university system across Europe. CrD also addresses the need for recognition of artistic research. CrD supports parity in recognition of degrees, comparability of achievements and mobility of students, teachers, researchers and research outcomes across Europe. Participants Over a million individuals (arts students and staff) and 790 institutions in Europe and beyond will benefit directly and indirectly from the project activities. They come from the following target groups: - Academia: Postgraduate art students, mid-career artists, teaching staff at art institutions/universities, researchers, research supervisors - Professional Practice institutions: cultural, social, municipal and economy partners, curators, policy makers, artists ActivitiesCreator Doctus (CrD) developed a model for a new European 3rd cycle award for HAE that runs parallel to the existing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). CrD focuses on embedding 3rd cycle education in the academy: within learning, teaching, career development and links with social/urban partners in order to make research an integral part of all aspects of education. CrD is a partnership between arts institutions in their various forms and professional arts organisations that represent the social, cultural and economic field. These partners will become educational providers whilst academia will implement their educational and research efforts against labour market requirements. With this partnership both partners bring their unique expertise and enhance one another towards relevance of their offers as well as social and economic impact. Results • A framework for a 3rd Cycle award or model for Higher Arts Education • Seven national adaptations of the proposed model • An international database of best practice in 3rd Cycle awards in HAE: www.3rdcycleinthearts.eu • A book with various case studies and examples of practice-based 3rd cycle models in the arts • A position paper for research in Higher Arts Education ImpactCrD empowers Higher Arts Education institutions across Europe to further develop their research programmes as an integral part of their institution and curricula living up to the standards set out during the Bologna Process, making full use of the European Qualifications Framework. Strong long-term co-operations will be built between education and the world of work and the developed model will serve as practical example for other institutions to develop similar co-operations. As a second target group artists and researchers themselves will profit from the possibility to use their practice as research and teaching and develop professionally. Further to that staff of societal partners will learn how to apply artistic research to support their institutions’ missions.