Deadline: 30-Apr-2026
The British Institute for Libyan and Northern African Studies (BILNAS) offers grants of up to £10,000 for UK-based postdoctoral researchers to support primary research in Libya and the Northern African region across the Humanities and Social Sciences. The funding can support both pilot studies and larger collaborative or multi-year projects.
What is the BILNAS Grant?
The BILNAS Grant Programme supports primary research in:
The programme funds research in the Humanities and Social Sciences and supports:
- Small pilot studies
- Larger research projects
- Collaborative projects
- Multi-year initiatives
Research may be carried out in the region or within the UK, depending on the project design.
Funding Amount
- Up to £10,000
- Grants may be renewed
Typical use
- Smaller pilot projects are often under £5,000
- Larger or collaborative projects may use the full amount
What can the funding be used for?
Eligible costs may include:
- Travel and maintenance away from home
- Consumables (including field or lab expenses)
- Specialist software
- Costs related to government representatives in the field
- Research assistance or short-term specialist staff
- Preparation of illustrative materials (where justified)
- Essential local government charges
What is not funded?
The grant does not cover:
- Institutional overheads
- Computer hardware
- Books
- Permanent equipment
- Publication costs
- Salary replacement
- Teaching cover
- Conference attendance expenses
Important note
- UK-based research assistant costs should generally follow university pay scales
- Any variation must be clearly justified
Who is Eligible?
The Principal Investigator (PI) must:
- Be a postdoctoral scholar
- Hold a PhD
- Be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom
- Be responsible for meeting all grant conditions
Residency meaning
“Ordinarily resident” means the applicant:
- Lives in the UK by choice
- Lives there for a settled purpose over time
Co-applicants
- Co-applicants may be based anywhere in the world
- However, the PI must meet the UK residency requirement
Who can apply?
The programme welcomes:
- Early career researchers
- Established researchers
Additional Restrictions
Applicants are not eligible if they:
- Received a previous BILNAS grant and accepted it less than one year ago
- Are a member of the BILNAS Council (unless they resign)
Why this grant matters
This grant is valuable because it:
- Supports region-focused primary research
- Encourages work in understudied or complex field settings
- Funds both small pilot and larger collaborative projects
- Helps UK-based scholars build research on Libya and Northern Africa
- Supports meaningful Humanities and Social Sciences scholarship
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly explain the regional relevance of your project
- Show why primary research is essential
- Build a realistic budget focused on direct research costs
- Avoid including ineligible institutional or publication costs
- If collaborative, clearly define the PI’s leadership role
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Including overheads, hardware, or books in the budget
- Applying without clearly demonstrating primary research value
- Misunderstanding the UK ordinary residence requirement
- Weak justification for research assistant or specialist staffing costs
- Reapplying too soon after a previous BILNAS award
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much funding is available?
Applicants can request up to £10,000, and grants may be renewed.
2. What research areas are supported?
The programme supports Humanities and Social Sciences research related to Libya and Northern Africa.
3. Which countries are covered?
Eligible regional focus includes:
- Libya
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Tunisia
- Egypt
- Niger
- Mali
- Chad
- Sudan
4. Who can apply?
The Principal Investigator must be:
- Postdoctoral
- Hold a PhD
- Ordinarily resident in the UK
5. Can co-applicants be outside the UK?
Yes. Co-applicants may be based anywhere globally, but the PI must meet the UK residency rule.
6. Can the grant pay for conference travel or publication costs?
No. Conference attendance and publication costs are not covered.
Conclusion
The BILNAS Grant Programme is a strong opportunity for UK-based postdoctoral researchers working on Libya and Northern Africa in the Humanities and Social Sciences. With funding of up to £10,000, it supports both pilot studies and broader research projects, making it useful for scholars seeking to build or expand impactful regional research.
For more information, visit BILNAS.