British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026/2027 in the UK (Funded)

Applications are now open for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026/2027, a prestigious funding programme that supports outstanding early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. The fellowship enables researchers to pursue an independent research project while strengthening their research and teaching experience at an eligible UK university or research organization.

Funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the fellowship is designed to help promising scholars develop their academic careers, produce significant publishable research, and enhance their prospects of securing permanent academic positions. Fellows will undertake a three-year programme beginning in Autumn 2027.

About the Fellowship

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships provide talented researchers with the opportunity to establish themselves as independent scholars while working within a supportive academic environment. Fellows are expected to focus primarily on completing a major piece of publishable research while also gaining valuable teaching and research experience.

The programme is hosted by eligible UK universities and research organizations, where fellows become part of established academic communities and benefit from mentorship, collaboration, and professional development opportunities.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• Funding for a three-year fellowship.
• Support under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) model.
• Coverage of 80% of salary costs, directly allocated costs, and indirect costs.
• Opportunity to conduct independent research.
• Academic mentoring and career development.
• Access to research facilities and resources at the host institution.
• Enhanced prospects for securing permanent academic positions.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be early-career researchers in the humanities or social sciences.
• Be based at an eligible UK university or recognized research organization for the duration of the fellowship.
• Have completed their viva voce examination between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027.
• Hold postdoctoral status before the Research Awards Committee meets.
• Not have held a permanent academic position at a higher education institution in the UK or overseas.

Applicants may be eligible if they:

• Are British citizens or nationals of an EEA country, regardless of where they earned their doctorate.
• Hold a doctorate from a UK university, regardless of nationality.
• Can demonstrate a strong prior association with the UK academic community if they do not meet the above nationality or qualification criteria.

Eligible Research Areas

Applications are invited from researchers working in disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, including:

• History
• Literature
• Languages
• Philosophy
• Archaeology
• Law
• Politics
• Sociology
• Economics
• Anthropology
• Geography
• Education
• Cultural Studies
• Other humanities and social science disciplines.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Completed online application.
• Research proposal.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• ORCID iD.
• Referee statement.
• Host institution approval.
• Any additional documents required by the British Academy and host institution.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Review the fellowship guidance and eligibility requirements.
2. Identify and secure support from an eligible UK host institution.
3. Register on the British Academy Flexi-Grant® Grant Management System.
4. Complete the online application form.
5. Arrange for the required referee statement.
6. Submit the application for institutional approval before the deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications several days before the closing date to allow sufficient time for institutional approval.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Academic excellence.
• Quality and originality of the proposed research.
• Research potential.
• Suitability of the host institution.
• Likelihood that the fellowship will contribute to the applicant's long-term academic career.