The British Academy has opened applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027, a prestigious three year award aimed at outstanding early career researchers working in the humanities and social sciences. This scheme is designed to help talented scholars complete a significant piece of publishable research while gaining valuable experience in an academic environment, ultimately strengthening their prospects of securing a permanent academic post.
If you are an early career researcher looking to build your academic career through independent research, this fellowship could be the opportunity you have been waiting for. Below is everything you need to know about eligibility, funding, the application process, and more. For more BS, MS,Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
About the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship offers early career researchers the chance to strengthen their research and teaching experience within an academic setting. The scheme has two main goals:
- To help the award holder develop a strong curriculum vitae and improve their chances of obtaining a permanent academic position
- To support the completion of a significant, publishable piece of research while integrating the award holder into the wider community of established scholars in their field
This is a non renewable fellowship, meaning applicants can only hold the award once. It is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), reflecting its importance within the UK’s national research funding landscape.
Who Can Apply:
Eligibility for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships is based on several factors, including nationality, doctoral status, and career stage. Here is a breakdown of the key requirements:
- Applicants must be researchers from the humanities and social sciences
- Applicants must be based at an eligible UK university or recognised research organisation for the entire duration of the fellowship
- British citizens and nationals from the EEA are eligible regardless of where they obtained their doctorate
- Applicants of any nationality who hold a doctorate from a UK university are eligible
- Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may still be considered if they can demonstrate “strong prior association” with the UK academic community
What Counts as Strong Prior Association
Strong prior association typically means having a current, significant period of employment (a minimum of one year) at a UK institution in a teaching or research role that is not permanent. This one year period must be completed before the application is submitted, and applicants must demonstrate this by 1 January 2027. It is important to note that a master’s degree completed in the UK does not count as prior association.
Career Stage Requirements
This scheme is intended for early career or postdoctoral researchers. To be eligible:
- Applicants must have completed their Viva Voce examination between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027
- Applicants must already hold postdoctoral status by the time the Research Awards Committee meets
- Applicants who have ever held a permanent academic post at any institution of higher education, whether in the UK or overseas, are not eligible. This includes any permanent position held before the doctorate was awarded
If your Viva Voce examination has not yet been scheduled but you are reasonably confident it will take place before 1 April 2027, you may still apply. However, if unforeseen delays push the exam date beyond this deadline, you will be required to withdraw your application.
Applicants who feel they qualify for an exemption from any of the above criteria, for example due to a career break taken for care commitments or personal health reasons, should contact the British Academy directly before submitting an application. All exemption requests must be approved in advance.
Suitable Subject Areas
The British Academy is the UK’s national body dedicated to the humanities and social sciences, so funding is restricted to research proposals within these fields. That said, interdisciplinary projects that include subjects outside the humanities and social sciences are welcome, provided the core research remains grounded in an appropriate field of study.
Applicants working on practice based research are also encouraged to apply. Proposals may vary considerably in their approach to conceptualisation, methodology, and outputs depending on the discipline, but all proposals, whether practice led or not, must include a clear scholarly rationale for the chosen research methods and outcomes.
If you are unsure whether your project falls within the Academy’s remit, it is best to reach out to the team before applying.
Value and Duration of the Award
The Postdoctoral Fellowship is covered under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) regime. Here are the key financial details:
- The Academy currently funds 80 per cent of salary costs, along with directly allocated and indirect costs under FEC
- The fellowship is tenable for three years
- Award holders are expected to begin their fellowship in Autumn 2027 at a UK based university or higher education institution
- Salary is paid at the host institution’s standard rate for an equivalent position
- Visa costs incurred by the host institution can be costed separately within the Full Economic Costing, apart from research expenses
- Research expenses cover the direct costs of planning, conducting, and developing the research project, but cannot be used for non specialist computer equipment, permanent departmental resources, or publication and open access fees
Detailed financial information is only required if an applicant is invited to the Second Stage of the competition.
Referee Requirements
Every application must be supported by one self nominated referee. The referee’s role is to complete a questionnaire through the Flexi-Grant® system, commenting on the applicant’s abilities, academic record, and research proposal.
- The referee should ideally be the applicant’s PhD External Examiner
- If the External Examiner is unavailable, the referee should be someone as independent from the applicant as possible
- The referee may be based outside the UK
- The referee cannot be the applicant’s proposed mentor, doctoral supervisor, an internal examiner, or anyone based at the same institution as the proposed host organisation
Applications submitted with an ineligible referee will not be considered, so it is worth confirming your referee’s eligibility early in the process. The reference must be completed and submitted before the closing date, and applicants or their Research Offices are responsible for making sure referees meet this deadline.
Mentoring
Successful applicants will be paired with a mentor based within the department they are joining. This is a paid role that can only be held by one person, so applicants cannot have more than one mentor. The mentor’s responsibility is to help the award holder settle into the department, support their integration as a full staff member, and assist with any departmental matters that arise during the fellowship.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through the British Academy’s Grant Management System, Flexi-Grant®.
- Application platform: Flexi-Grant® (britishacademy.flexigrant.com)
- Deadline for submissions and UK institutional approval: Wednesday 30 September 2026, 17:00 BST
- Scheme opens: 1 July 2026
- Earliest start date: 1 September 2027
The Postdoctoral Fellowship competition runs as a two stage process. Only applicants successful at the Outline Stage are invited to submit a Second Stage application, which is by invitation only. Applicants can only submit one application, and only through one institution.
Institutional authorisation must be given by the registered approver in the Flexi-Grant® system at the applicant’s host institution, typically the Research Grants or Contracts Office. Applicants should confirm the correct process with their home institution well ahead of the deadline.
Important Notes on Working Arrangements
The Postdoctoral Fellowship buys out 100 per cent of the award holder’s working time, meaning no other award or position can be held alongside it. Requests to work part time while still devoting 100 per cent of working time to the funded research may be considered sympathetically, particularly in cases involving caring responsibilities or illness. If awarded the fellowship, recipients are required to primarily live in the UK and engage with their host institution for the full duration of the award, aside from essential research trips or conferences.
Open Access and Publication Costs
Applicants should be aware that the British Academy does not currently require research outputs to be made available in open access format. Additionally, publication costs, including Article Processing Charges (APCs) and other open access fees, are not eligible for funding under this or other Academy awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
I completed my PhD in 2020 but worked outside academia for a few years. Does this count as an exemption?
No. The only exemptions considered are career breaks taken due to care commitments or personal health reasons. If you believe you qualify, contact the Academy directly to discuss your situation.
I hold two doctorates, but only the most recent falls within the eligibility window. Can I still apply?
Eligibility is assessed based on your most recent doctorate, provided it falls within the Humanities and Social Sciences remit and the Viva Voce examination took place between April 2024 and April 2027.
Can I apply if I do not plan to work in a university after the fellowship?
Yes. The award is designed to support a research career across a range of settings, not exclusively within universities.
How many times can I apply?
You may only apply once at the Outline Stage. If invited to the Second Stage, you may reapply provided you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Can I apply through multiple institutions?
No. You may only apply via one institution.
Does the fellowship cover visa costs?
Yes. Visa costs for the host institution can be costed and covered under Full Economic Costing, separate from research expenses.
Can I include a bibliography or reference list in my application?
Yes, though it is not mandatory. If included, it must form part of the main text and will count toward the overall word limit.
Is there support available for applicants who need additional assistance completing their application?
Yes. The British Academy has set aside dedicated funding to support applicants and award holders who require additional assistance. More information is available on the Academy’s website.
