British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant Programme (UK)

The British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants Programme offers up to £10,000 to support humanities and social sciences research projects. It funds direct research costs such as travel, workshops, and research assistance for UK-based postdoctoral or equivalent researchers.

Overview

The British Academy in partnership with the Leverhulme Trust offers the Small Research Grants Programme to support high-quality research in the humanities and social sciences.

This scheme funds clearly defined, short-term research projects that generate impactful academic outcomes.

Programme Objectives

The programme is designed to:

• Support primary research in humanities and social sciences
• Enable early-stage project development and planning
• Facilitate collaboration through workshops and research visits
• Fund dissemination of research findings
• Promote high-quality, focused academic outputs

What the Grant Supports

Eligible Activities

Funding can be used for:

• Research planning and fieldwork
• Travel (domestic and international)
• Workshops and academic meetings
• Research assistance
• Dissemination activities (conferences, publications)

Not Eligible Expenses

The grant does NOT cover:

• Salaries or salary replacement
• Teaching cover costs
• Institutional overheads
• Equipment purchases

Funding Details

• Grant amount: £500 to £10,000
• Duration: 1 to 24 months
• Funding type: Direct research cost support

Who is Eligible?

Primary Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be postdoctoral researchers or have equivalent research experience
• Be ordinarily resident in:
  • United Kingdom
  • Isle of Man
  • Channel Islands

Additional Requirements

• Must be affiliated with an institution OR apply as an independent scholar
• Must lead a clearly defined research project

Ineligible Applicants

• Postgraduate students are NOT eligible

Collaborative Projects

• Co-applicants can be based anywhere globally
• Principal applicant must be UK-based

Project Requirements

All proposals must:

• Have a clearly defined research objective
• Be discrete and achievable within the timeframe
• Demonstrate a clear research outcome (e.g., publication, report, dataset)
• Align with humanities or social sciences disciplines

Why This Programme Matters

This programme is important because it:

• Provides flexible funding for early-stage research
• Supports independent and collaborative scholarship
• Enables international academic collaboration
• Bridges funding gaps for small but impactful projects
• Strengthens research outputs in humanities and social sciences

It is particularly valuable for researchers needing modest funding to advance or complete a focused research project.

How to Apply

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Confirm Eligibility
   Ensure you meet residency and research experience requirements
2. Define Your Research Project
   Clearly outline:

• Research question
• Objectives
• Methodology
• Expected outcomes

3. Prepare Budget

• Include only eligible direct research costs
• Stay within £500–£10,000 range

4. Gather Documents
   Typically includes:

• Research proposal
• CV
• Institutional affiliation details (if applicable)

5. Submit Application
   Apply through the official British Academy grants system
6. Peer Review and Selection
   Applications are assessed based on:

• Academic quality
• Feasibility
• Value for money
• Expected research contribution

Key Tips for Applicants

• Keep your research scope focused and realistic
• Clearly justify all budget items
• Emphasize the significance of your research
• Demonstrate achievable outcomes within the timeframe
• Highlight collaboration if relevant

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Including ineligible costs (e.g., salaries, equipment)
• Submitting vague or overly broad proposals
• Lack of clear research outcomes
• Unrealistic timelines or budgets
• عدم clarity in methodology or objectives

FAQs

1. What is the maximum funding available?

Up to £10,000 per project.

2. Who can apply?

Postdoctoral researchers or equivalent scholars based in the UK or eligible regions.

3. Are PhD students eligible?

No, postgraduate students cannot apply.

4. Can international collaborators be included?

Yes, but the lead applicant must be UK-based.

5. What expenses are covered?

Direct research costs such as travel, workshops, and research assistance.

6. Can the grant be used for salaries or equipment?

No, these costs are not eligible.

7. What is the project duration?

Between 1 and 24 months.

Conclusion

The British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants Programme is an essential funding opportunity for researchers in the humanities and social sciences. By supporting focused, high-impact projects with flexible funding, it enables scholars to advance research, collaborate internationally, and produce meaningful academic outputs.