Call for Entries: International Fellowships Programme

Deadline: 11-Mar-2026

The International Fellowships Programme supports outstanding early career researchers to launch independent research careers by gaining international experience in the UK.

The two-year fellowship funds high-quality, innovative research, skills development, and global collaboration while helping the UK attract and retain emerging international research talent.

Overview

The International Fellowships Programme is designed to help early career researchers (ECRs) take their first significant step toward research independence by conducting research in the UK while gaining valuable international experience.

The programme supports globally mobile researchers, strengthens the UK research and innovation ecosystem, and builds long-term international research relationships through structured funding, training, and alumni engagement.

Core Aims of the Fellowship

The programme aims to:

• Attract and retain emerging international research talent in the UK

• Support early career researchers in conducting high-quality, original, and innovative research

• Enable fellows to acquire and transfer new skills, knowledge, and methodologies

• Promote researcher mobility and global collaboration

• Build long-term professional networks through the International Fellowships alumni programme

Fellowship Duration and Funding Structure

Fellowship Length

• The fellowship is awarded for a fixed duration of two years

• Each award must involve a clearly defined and protected research focus

Funding Model

• Funded at 80% of Full Economic Costing (FEC)

• The funding level follows standard UK research council costing principles

What the Funding Covers

Eligible Costs

Funding may be used for:

• Directly incurred staff costs for the award holder

• Estates and indirect costs

• Research expenses, including:

  • Travel and fieldwork

  • Training and professional development

  • Conferences and networking

  • Dissemination of research findings

• Relocation and visa costs as a one-off expense

Cost Limits

• Research expenses: up to £12,000 (with clear justification)

• Relocation costs: up to £8,000 (with clear justification)

• Salary levels must be comparable to UK academic staff at an equivalent career stage

• Any inflation applied to salary costs must be fully justified

Ineligible Costs

The following costs are not eligible:

• Salary costs for additional research staff

• Equipment purchases

• Open access publication fees

• Computer hardware

• Books

• Publication production costs

• Carbon offsetting costs

Who Is Eligible?

Core Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be an early career researcher

• Hold a PhD, or be in the final stages with completion before 1 June 2026

• Have no more than five years of active full-time postdoctoral research experience

• Be working outside the UK at the time of application

• Not hold UK citizenship

• Be competent in oral and written English

• Have a clearly defined research proposal agreed with a UK host researcher

• Meet all eligibility and compliance requirements set out in the official scheme notes

Research and Host Organisation Requirements

Research Focus

• The fellowship must support high-quality, original research

• The award holder must have a protected research focus throughout the fellowship

UK Host Researcher

• Applicants must identify a UK-based host researcher (Sponsor)

• The research proposal must be mutually beneficial to both the fellow and the host institution

Application Requirements

Supporting Statements

Each application must include two mandatory supporting statements:

1. A statement from the UK Sponsor

2. A statement from the Sponsor’s Head of Department

Key points to note:

• Sponsors and Heads of Department must be invited through the application system

• Invitations must be accepted before contributions can be submitted

• Applicants can track completion status within the system

• The application cannot be submitted until all required sections are complete and formally submitted

Institutional Approval

• After submission, the application is routed to the designated Approver at the UK Host Organisation

• The Approver must confirm:

  • The organisation’s ability to host the fellowship

  • The eligibility and appropriateness of the research proposal

  • The accuracy and compliance of the proposed budget

How the Application Process Works

Step-by-Step Process

1. Develop a research proposal with a UK host researcher

2. Confirm eligibility against programme criteria

3. Invite the UK Sponsor and Head of Department through the application system

4. Ensure all supporting statements are completed early

5. Submit the application before the deadline

6. Application is reviewed and approved by the UK Host Organisation

Applicant Responsibilities

• The applicant is fully responsible for:

  • Coordinating with the Sponsor

  • Coordinating with the Head of Department

  • Coordinating with the institutional Approver

• Applications submitted after the deadline are not accepted

Alumni and Follow-On Funding

• Fellows may be eligible for follow-on Alumni funding

• Alumni funding supports:

  • Networking activities

  • Collaboration with UK-based or international researchers

• This helps maintain long-term research relationships beyond the fellowship period

Why the International Fellowships Programme Matters

The programme strengthens global research capacity by:

• Supporting early career researchers at a critical career stage

• Encouraging international knowledge exchange and mobility

• Enhancing the UK’s position as a global research hub

• Building sustainable international research networks

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without meeting the five-year postdoctoral experience limit

• Failing to secure UK Sponsor and Head of Department statements early

• Submitting incomplete applications

• Requesting ineligible costs

• Missing the institutional approval stage before the deadline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is the International Fellowships Programme for?

It is for outstanding early career researchers seeking to develop independent research careers through international mobility to the UK.

2. How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship is awarded for two years.

3. Is UK citizenship allowed?

No. Applicants must not hold UK citizenship.

4. Can applicants still be finishing their PhD?

Yes, provided the PhD is completed before 1 June 2026.

5. How much funding is available for research costs?

Up to £12,000 for research expenses, with justification.

6. Are equipment purchases allowed?

No. Equipment and several other cost categories are explicitly ineligible.

7. Who is responsible for coordinating supporting statements?

The applicant is fully responsible for coordinating all contributors and approvals.

Conclusion

The International Fellowships Programme offers a structured and well-funded pathway for early career researchers to establish independence, gain international experience, and build lasting global research networks.

By combining high-quality research funding, career development, and alumni support, the programme plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of internationally connected researchers.

For more information, visit The British Academy.