Deadline: 01-Oct-2025
The British Academy is inviting proposals from early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences who wish to pursue an independent research project. The aim is to support the completion of a significant piece of publishable research.
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship offers outstanding early-career researchers a chance to strengthen their experience in both research and teaching within an academic environment. This scheme is designed to help develop the fellow’s CV and improve their prospects of securing a permanent academic position. The focus is on completing important research and integrating the fellow into a community of established scholars in their field.
Research expenses are fully covered up to £6,000 over three years, with flexibility in how the funds are allocated annually. The scheme follows the Full Economic Costing (FEC) framework, with the Academy funding 80% of salary, direct, and indirect costs. The Fellowship lasts for three years and begins in Autumn 2026 at a UK-based university or higher education institution.
Applicants must be researchers in humanities or social sciences, based at an eligible UK university or recognized research organization during the Fellowship. British citizens and nationals from the EEA are eligible, no matter where they earned their doctorate. Applicants of any nationality with a UK doctorate are also eligible, and those with a strong prior association with the UK academic community may qualify.
Applicants must be early-career researchers, applying within three years of successfully completing their viva voce examination. For this round, candidates should have completed their viva between 1 April 2023 and 1 April 2026. They must hold postdoctoral status when the Research Awards Committee reviews their application.
For more information, visit The British Academy.