The British Academy Fellowships for the 2025-26 academic year offer an exceptional opportunity for researchers in the humanities and social sciences to advance their work in the UK. These fully funded fellowships are designed to support scholars at various stages of their careers, providing them with the resources, mentorship, and academic environment necessary to foster innovative research.
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Recipients of these prestigious fellowships will benefit from financial support covering living expenses, research costs, and access to the rich intellectual community at partner institutions across the UK. The program emphasizes collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches, encouraging fellows to engage with diverse perspectives and contribute to the broader academic dialogue.
By joining the British Academy Fellowship community, scholars will not only enhance their research endeavors but also gain valuable skills in leadership and networking. This initiative aims to empower individuals to make significant contributions to their fields and society, paving the way for a brighter future through knowledge and understanding.
The British Academy is inviting proposals from early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences wishing to pursue an independent research project, towards the completion of a significant piece of publishable research.
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship offers outstanding early-career researchers the opportunity to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in an academic environment.
This scheme aims to help develop the award-holder’s curriculum vitae and boost their prospects of obtaining a permanent academic post. The primary emphasis is on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research, and the integration of the award holder into the community of established scholars within their field.
The Fellowship is non-renewable and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT).
Eligibility
The applicant must be a researcher from the humanities and social sciences and be based at an eligible university or research organisation for the duration of the Fellowship.
Suitable institutions include any UK university or recognised research organisation based in the UK. British citizens and any nationals from the EEA are eligible, regardless of where their doctorate was obtained. Anyone of any nationality who has a doctorate from a UK university is eligible. If an applicant does not meet the prior categories, they may be accepted if they can demonstrate ‘strong prior association’ with the UK academic community.
Eligible applicants are expected to be at an early stage of their career. Applicants are expected to have completed their Viva Voce examination between 1st April 2023 to 1st April 2026. Please check scheme guidance notes for further information regarding exemption from this criterion.
The applicant must already be of postdoctoral status at the time when the Research Awards Committee meets.
Value and duration
The scheme is covered under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) regime. Currently, the Academy funds 80% of salary costs, directly allocated and indirect costs under FEC. The Fellowship is tenable for three years, starting from Autumn 2026 in a UK-based university or higher education institution.
Referee
Applicants must be supported by one self-nominated referee, who will be asked to fill in a questionnaire via Flexi-Grant. The referee should normally be the external examiner or, if not available, someone else who is as external to the applicant as possible.
The referee may not be the applicant’s proposed mentor, doctoral supervisor or internal examiner.
Application process
Applications must be submitted online using the British Academy’s Grant Management System (GMS), Flexi-Grant®.
The deadline for submissions and UK institutional approval is Wednesday 1 October 2025 (17:00 GMT).
If you have any questions about the Postdoctoral Fellowships or the application process, please see last year’s scheme notes and frequently asked questions, or email posts@thebritishacademy.ac.uk.
Scheme guidance
Please read through our scheme guidance notes and application guidance notes carefully before completing an application.
