Three-year awards will support early career humanities and social sciences researchers based at UK host organisations.

The British Academy, the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, is inviting applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowships. The scheme is supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The fellowships are intended to enable early career researchers to pursue independent projects and complete substantial pieces of publishable research. The call also aims to develop award holders’ experience of research and teaching in an academic environment, and supports integration into a community of established scholars in the relevant field.

Applicants must be researchers in the humanities and social sciences and must be based at eligible UK universities or recognised UK research organisations for the duration of the award. Candidates are required to apply within three years of their successful viva voce examination. For this competition, applicants are expected to have completed their viva voce between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027, and must already be of postdoctoral status when the Academy’s Research Awards Committee meets.

Eligibility includes British citizens and nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), regardless of where the doctorate was awarded, as well as individuals of any nationality holding a doctorate from a UK university. Applicants outside these categories may be considered if they can demonstrate a strong prior association with the UK academic community.

Awards are made under the full economic costing (FEC) regime, with the Academy providing 80% of allowable costs. In addition, up to £10,000 is available for research expenses over a three-year period. Fellowships are expected to begin in autumn 2027, with up to 40 awards anticipated.