The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship provides outstanding early-career researchers with the opportunity to enhance their research and teaching experience in an academic environment. This scheme aims to help develop the award-holder’s curriculum vitae and boost their prospects of obtaining a permanent academic post. The primary emphasis is on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research, and the integration of the award holder into the community of established scholars within their field.
When is the Application Deadline:
🗓️ Opens: 2 July 2025
🗓️ Deadline: 1 October 2025 at 17:00 BST
🧑🏫 Earliest start date for research: 1 September 2026
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Tell Me About The Award:
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship is a prestigious 3-year award designed to support early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. It enables scholars to pursue independent research in a UK institution, gain teaching experience, and integrate into vibrant academic communities—strengthening their career prospects for permanent academic positions.
Which Fields are Eligible?
📚 Humanities and Social Sciences only
(e.g. history, literature, linguistics, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, etc.)
Type:
🧑🎓 Postdoctoral Fellowship
🔬 Research-based, career-development focused
Who can Apply?
- Applicants must be early-career researchers who have passed their viva voce between 1 April 2023 and 1 April 2026
- Must be of postdoctoral status by the time of award decision
- Open to:
- British and EEA nationals (regardless of where PhD was obtained)
- Any nationality with a PhD from a UK university
- Others with strong prior association with the UK academic system
How are Applicants Selected?
✅ Based on quality and feasibility of research proposal
✅ Academic merit and potential
✅ Strength of institutional support
✅ External reference (cannot be mentor or supervisor)
✅ Institutional approval via Flexi-Grant system
Which Countries Are Eligible?
🌍 Open to all nationalities, provided the researcher meets one of the eligibility pathways (UK PhD, EEA citizenship, or prior UK academic association)
Where will the Award be Taken?
🏛️ At any UK-based university or research institution eligible under the scheme
How Many Awards?
📊 Varies by year; typically 50–100+ fellowships awarded annually
What is the Benefit of the Award?
💷 Funding Duration: 3 years
💼 Coverage Includes:
- 80% of salary (via Full Economic Costing model)
- Research-related direct and indirect costs
- Integration into UK academic life, with mentoring and optional teaching
How Long Will the Award Last?
⏳ 3 years (non-renewable), starting from Autumn 2026
How to Apply:
- Prepare your proposal and secure UK institutional support
- Register and apply via the British Academy’s Flexi-Grant® system
- Nominate an independent referee (not your mentor or supervisor)
- Submit your application by 1 October 2025 (17:00 BST)
Visit the Award Webpage for Details:
🔗 British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships – Official Website
Postdoctoral Fellowships outline stage: Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Needs funding:
Are there any avenues of support available to applicants who require additional assistance completing their application form?
The British Academy has set aside specific funding to support any additional needs that applicants and award holders may require. This funding pot is available for both current award holders and applicants who would like to apply for an award but need support with submitting their application.
Eligibility:
Can I apply if I do not intend to work in a university setting after the award?
Yes. This award is intended to help researchers to develop their careers and an acceptable outcome is to prepare you for a research career in a range of research organisation settings, not exclusively limited to universities.
I am seeking funding for a project in the field of biochemistry/physics/engineering, can I apply?
No. The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the Humanities and Social Sciences. We therefore only fund research proposals from within humanities and social science subject areas. However, interdisciplinary projects which include subjects outside of the Humanities and Social Sciences are welcome to apply.
If you are concerned that your project may fall outside the remit of the British Academy, contact posts@thebritishacademy.ac.uk before applying.
Application process:
How many times can I apply?
You can only apply once. Only those who are invited to the second stage of the competition can re-apply.
Can I apply at multiple institutions?
You can only apply via one institution.
What is the Second Stage? Can I apply at the Second Stage instead?
The Postdoctoral Fellowship competition is a two-stage process. Only those who are successful at the Outline Stage can apply for the Second Stage. The Second Stage is invitation only. If you were previously successful in getting to the second stage, but did not get an award, you would need to re-apply at the first stage again.
How much will I get paid?
You will be paid your host institution’s standard rate for an equivalent position. The British Academy does not generally involve itself in contract discussions.
Does the fellowship cover VISA costs?
Yes, if a host institution will incur visa costs to employ a potential applicant, these will be able to be costed and covered in the Full Economic Costing, separate from the research expenses and other elements of the budget. When submitting financial details at the second stage, any costs for this should be clearly stated in the justification section.
When will I need to submit detailed financial information?
If you are successful in the Outline Stage of the competition, and are invited to submit a Second Stage application, you will be required to submit detailed financial information as part of your Second Stage application.
What can be covered by the research expenses element of the Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The Research Costs portion of the Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended to provide funds to cover the costs incurred in planning, conducting and developing the research project.
It cannot be used to fund the purchase of non-specialist computer equipment or other permanent resources or equipment that should more properly be ascribed to departmental/institutional overheads. It also cannot be used towards the costs of publication, including open access fees and editorial costs.
Referee statement:
What does the referee have to do?
Your nominated referee will be asked to fill in a questionnaire on our Flexi-Grant system. They will be asked to comment on your abilities, academic record, and research proposal. The reference must be completed and submitted for the application prior to the closing date.
Who can be my referree?
Your referee should be familiar with your project and able to comment on its significance, feasibility, and on your abilities. Your referee should be as independent from you as possible. We recommend the External Examiner for your PhD. The reference may be supplied by a scholar based outside the UK if you wish.
Please note your referee cannot be your proposed mentor, your supervisor or an internal examiner. Applications submitted with an ineligible referee will not be considered.
When does my referee need to submit their reference?
You can invite your referee to support your application at any point during the submission process. Please note that your application cannot be reviewed until both the referee and the host organisation have completed their parts. This is all due by 2 October at 17:00.
Can I have more than one mentor?
No – the mentor position is a paid role and can only be taken up by one person.
Can my mentor be based at a different organisation?
No. Our expectation is that the mentor is from someone within the department you are applying to. This mentor is there to help you settle into the department, ensure your participation as a full member of the staff, and to support you with any departmental issues.
Can I take the award on at part time, so that I can work on a different project part time?
No. The Postdoctoral Fellowship buys you out for 100 per cent of your time. No other award or position can be held alongside the Fellowship.
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