British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026-2027

Applications will open for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026-2027. This prestigious three-year fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. It helps them build their research profile and teaching experience at a UK university. The fellowship is fully funded for research purposes. It covers salary costs, research expenses, and institutional overheads. There is no application fee. Key Deadline: 30 September 2026 (17:00 BST). You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Degree Level: Postdoctoral
• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Application Deadline: 30 September 2026 at 17:00 BST
• Scheme Opens: 1 July 2026
• Funding Type: Fully funded fellowship (salary + research costs)
• Application Fee: None

Key Benefits:

This fellowship gives you the chance to focus full-time on your own independent research project for three years. You will receive:

• A competitive salary paid at your host university’s standard rate for early-career researchers
• Full economic costing support that covers salary, National Insurance, pension, and institutional costs
• Funding for research expenses to support your project
• Opportunities to gain teaching experience (up to 5 hours per week)
• A dedicated mentor to support your integration into the department and your career development
• Full access to university facilities, libraries, and academic networks
• Strong support to complete a major piece of publishable research, such as a monograph or journal articles

Also Check: FIAS Fellowship Programme 2027/2028 in France

Important Dates (2026-27 round):

• Scheme opens: 1 July 2026
• Deadline for submission + institutional approval: 30 September 2026, 17:00 BST
• Earliest start date: 1 September 2027

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must:

• Be early-career researchers in humanities or social sciences
• Have had their viva voce examination between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027 (check scheme notes for exemptions)
• Be of postdoctoral status by the time the Research Awards Committee meets
• Propose to work at an eligible UK university or research organisation

Nationality Rules:

• British citizens and EEA nationals are eligible
• Anyone with a UK doctorate is eligible
• Other nationalities may qualify with “strong prior association” with the UK academic community (minimum one year, typically non-permanent employment)

Note: Only one application per person. Interdisciplinary projects are welcome if primarily within humanities/social sciences.

Also Check: Technical University of Denmark PhD and Postdoc Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)

Application Process:

For Applicants via Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA)

OSGA runs an internal selection process:

• Check eligibility and read full scheme notes (new notes expected 1 July 2026)
• Submit Expression of Interest by 9 July 2026, 9:00 am (includes CV, research idea, and potential mentor details)
• Shortlisted candidates: 15-minute online presentation to OSGA Research Committee
• Selected candidates: Submit final proposal to OSGA by 3 September 2026, 9:00 am
• OSGA-supported applications due via Flexi-Grant by noon on 21 September 2026
• Institutional approval and final submission by University of Oxford: 30 September 2026

Contact: [email protected] for questions.

How to Apply (General):

1. Read the official scheme guidance notes and application notes (available from 1 July 2026 on the British Academy website).
2. Register and submit your application through the British Academy’s Flexi-Grant system.
3. Prepare a strong research proposal, including abstract, methodology, plan of action, and expected outputs.
4. Secure a UK host institution and a mentor.
5. Arrange for your referee to submit their statement.
6. Submit your application before the deadline and ensure institutional approval.

Terms and Conditions Highlights

• Fellows become employees of the host institution
• Maximum 5 hours/week teaching (averaged)
• Mentor required from the host department
• Limited interruptions possible (e.g., maternity, career development)
• Outputs expected: monograph, journal articles, etc.

Also Check: Singapore-Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF)