The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships support outstanding early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences who wish to pursue an independent research project at an eligible UK university or research organisation. The fellowship is a three-year, non-renewable award, with the earliest start date listed as 1 September 2027.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
Category: Postdoctoral Fellowship
Host: The British Academy
Country: United Kingdom
Duration: Three years
Earliest Start Date: 1 September 2027
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026, 17:00 BST
Funding Status: The Academy funds 80 per cent of salary costs, directly allocated costs, and indirect costs under Full Economic Costing
Eligible Applicants: Early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences who meet the stated eligibility criteria
About the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed for early-career researchers who want to complete a significant piece of publishable research in the humanities or social sciences.
The scheme also supports researchers in strengthening their research and teaching experience within an academic environment. Its wider purpose is to help award-holders build their academic profile and improve their prospects of securing a permanent academic post.
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Fellowship Purpose and Research Focus
The primary focus of the fellowship is the completion of a substantial publishable research project. Award-holders are also expected to become integrated into a community of established scholars in their field.
The scheme is open to researchers working in the humanities and social sciences. Applicants must be based at an eligible UK university or recognised UK-based research organisation for the duration of the fellowship.
Funding and Duration
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships are funded by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology. The fellowship is non-renewable and tenable for three years.
Confirmed funding details include:
✓ Three-year fellowship duration
✓ Support under the Full Economic Costing regime
✓ 80 per cent funding of salary costs
✓ 80 per cent funding of directly allocated costs
✓ 80 per cent funding of indirect costs
✓ Tenure at a UK-based university or higher education institution
✓ Fellowship start from Autumn 2027
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Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be researchers in the humanities and social sciences. They must also be at an early stage of their career and meet the nationality, doctorate, or UK academic association criteria stated by The British Academy.
Eligible applicants include:
• British citizens, regardless of where their doctorate was obtained
• Nationals from the EEA, regardless of where their doctorate was obtained
• Applicants of any nationality who have a doctorate from a UK university
• Applicants who can demonstrate strong prior association with the UK academic community, if they do not meet the previous categories
Applicants must also be based at an eligible UK university or recognised UK-based research organisation during the fellowship.
Career Stage Requirements
The fellowship is intended for applicants at an early stage of their academic career. The official page provides specific timing and employment-status requirements.
Applicants are expected to:
• Have completed their Viva Voce examination between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027
• Already be of postdoctoral status when the Research Awards Committee meets
• Not have been appointed to a permanent academic post in a higher education institution at any time in their career
The permanent academic post restriction applies to appointments in the UK or overseas, including roles held before the doctorate was awarded.
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Referee Requirement
Applicants must be supported by one self-nominated referee. The referee will be asked to complete a questionnaire through Flexi-Grant.
The referee should normally be the applicant’s external examiner. If that person is not available, the referee should be someone as external to the applicant as possible.
The referee may not be:
• The applicant’s proposed mentor
• The applicant’s doctoral supervisor
• An internal examiner
• Someone based at the same institution proposed as the host organisation
How to Submit an Application
Applications must be submitted online through The British Academy’s Grant Management System, Flexi-Grant. Applicants should read the scheme guidance notes and application guidance notes before completing the application.
The official page also directs applicants to the frequently asked questions page for information about the scheme and the application process.
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Application Deadline
The deadline for submissions and UK institutional approval is Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at 17:00 BST. Applicants should complete the online application process through Flexi-Grant before the stated deadline.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application link below.
