British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026-27 (Fully Funded)

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship is a prestigious three-year award designed to support outstanding early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. This fellowship provides an excellent opportunity to pursue an independent research project, produce significant publishable work, and enhance your academic career prospects. You can also check out VIP3 Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Vienna BioCenter (16 Positions)

Key Details

• Funding Status: Open for applications
• Career Stage: Early-career, postdoctoral or equivalent
• Application Deadline: 1 October 2025, 17:00 BST
• Start Date: 1 September 2026
• Duration: 3 years
• Contact: [email protected]

About British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship

This fellowship supports early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences to:

• Conduct an independent research project leading to significant, publishable outcomes.
• Gain valuable research and teaching experience in an academic environment.
• Strengthen their CV to improve prospects for securing a permanent academic position.
• Integrate into the academic community of established scholars in their field.

The fellowship is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and is non-renewable.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• Field of Study: Research must be in the humanities or social sciences. Interdisciplinary projects that include other fields are welcome, but the core focus must align with these disciplines.
• Career Stage: You must be an early-career researcher, within three years of your viva voce examination (completed between 1 April 2023 and 1 April 2026).
• Postdoctoral Status: You must hold a doctorate by the time the Research Awards Committee meets.
• Nationality and Affiliation:
  • British citizens or nationals from the European Economic Area (EEA) are eligible, regardless of where their doctorate was obtained.
  • Any nationality with a doctorate from a UK university is eligible.
  • Applicants not meeting these criteria may still qualify if they can demonstrate a strong prior association with the UK academic community (e.g., at least one year of employment in a teaching or research role at a UK institution, completed before applying).
• Institution: You must be based at an eligible UK university or recognised research organisation for the duration of the fellowship.

Check also: JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan

Note:

• A master’s degree in the UK does not count as a “strong prior association.”
• Eligibility is based on the date of your first doctorate, not subsequent ones.
• If your viva voce is scheduled before 1 April 2026, you may apply, but you must withdraw if the date shifts beyond this.

Also read: 28 Postdoctoral Opportunities at Chalmers University of Technology 2025

Funding and Duration

• Duration: The fellowship lasts three years, starting in Autumn 2026.
• Funding: The scheme operates under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) regime, with the British Academy covering 80% of salary costs, directly allocated, and indirect costs.
• Salary: Paid at the host institution’s standard rate for an equivalent position.
• Additional Costs: Visa costs (if applicable) can be included in the budget, clearly stated in the justification section at the second stage.
• Research Expenses: Funds are available for research-related costs (e.g., planning, conducting, and developing the project), but not for non-specialist equipment, permanent resources, or publication costs (e.g., open access fees).

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the British Academy’s Grant Management System. The process is two-stage:

1. Outline Stage: Submit your initial application by 1 October 2025, 17:00 BST. We recommend submitting at least five days early to allow for institutional approval.
2. Second Stage: Only those successful in the Outline Stage are invited to apply for the Second Stage, which requires detailed financial information.

Also read: NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship

Key Notes:

• You can only apply through one institution.
• Only one application is allowed per applicant (unless invited to reapply after reaching the Second Stage in a previous round).
• Institutional authorisation must come from the registered approver in Flexi-Grant® (typically your institution’s Research Grants or Contracts Office).
• A bibliography/reference list is optional and, if included, should be part of the research proposal’s main text.

For detailed guidance, download the following from the British Academy website:

• Scheme Guidance Notes
• Application Guidance Notes
• Frequently Asked Questions

Referee Requirements

• Applicants must nominate one referee, ideally the external examiner from their PhD or another independent scholar familiar with their work.
• The referee cannot be the proposed mentor, doctoral supervisor, or internal examiner.
• The referee must complete a questionnaire via Flexi-Grant® by 2 October 2025, 17:00 BST, commenting on your abilities, academic record, and research proposal.

Check more: EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 

Mentoring

• You must have one mentor from the department of your host institution to support your integration and participation as a full staff member.
• The mentor role is paid and cannot be held by someone from a different institution.

Suitable Research Projects

• Subject Areas: Proposals must focus on humanities or social sciences. Projects in fields like biochemistry, physics, or engineering are ineligible unless they are interdisciplinary with a humanities/social sciences core.
• Endangered or Emerging Subjects: The British Academy encourages applications in newly formed, increasingly prominent, or at-risk subject areas.
• Practice-Based Research: Proposals may include creative or professional practice, but must have a clear scholarly rationale for methods and outputs.

Open Access

• The British Academy does not currently require research outputs to be open access.
• Publication costs, including Article Processing Charges (APCs), are not eligible for funding.

Also check: Applications Open for ETH Postdoctoral Fellowships 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I apply if I plan to work outside academia after the fellowship? Yes, the fellowship prepares you for research careers in various settings, not just universities.
• What if my institution has an internal selection process? The British Academy cannot advise on internal processes; seek guidance from your institution.
• Can I reapply if unsuccessful? You can only reapply if invited to the Second Stage in a previous round.

How to Apply

1. Review the scheme guidance notes and application guidance notes.
2. Prepare your research proposal and ensure you meet eligibility criteria.
3. Nominate a referee and invite them to complete their questionnaire.
4. Submit your application via Online by 1 October 2025, 17:00 BST.
5. Ensure your host institution provides approval before the deadline.

Take the next step in your academic career with the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship!