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International Fellowships 2026

British Academy

The International Fellowships programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. Each award is expected to involve a specific and protected research focus with the award holder undertaking high quality, original research.

This scheme is jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society.

The British Academy has made some changes to the scheme ahead of the 2026 round, more details of which can be found in the FAQs.

Aims

The overarching aim of the International Fellowships programme is to attract and retain emerging talent in the UK and build a globally connected, mobile research and innovation workforce. The objectives are to:

Attract talented International early career researchers to establish and conduct their research in the UK;
Support early career researchers to pursue high-quality and innovative lines of research;
Provide opportunities to acquire and transfer new skills and knowledge through training and career development;
Foster long-term relationships through networking opportunities and the International Fellowships alumni programme.

Duration and Value of Award

The International Fellowships offer support for two years and the award is offered at 80% FEC. Applicants may apply for research expenses of up to £12,000 and relocation costs of up to £8,000. Applicants will need to justify the level of research expenses and relocation costs requested in their application.

Applicants may also be eligible to receive follow on Alumni funding following the tenure of their Fellowship to support networking activities with UK-based or international researchers.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Here’s what tends to make applications successful from the reviewer’s perspective:

✔ 1. Originality & Research Excellence

Proposals must demonstrate a compelling, well-formulated research problem that extends existing knowledge in the humanities or social sciences. Original approaches, clear hypotheses/questions and strong grounding in relevant literature are essential.

Success tip: Frame your project within key debates or gaps in your discipline and show how your work advances understanding.

✔ 2. Fit with Academy Priorities

Funding must clearly align with the Academy’s remit — typically UK humanities and social science scholarship — and with the specific goals of the chosen scheme (e.g., early career development, mid-career research, small project deliverables). The British Academy

Success tip: Explicitly justify how your aims and outcomes match the funder’s objectives.

✔ 3. Feasible Research Design & Methodology

Reviewers look for clear, detailed research methods, realistic timelines, defined outcomes, and appropriate budget allocation that demonstrate the project can be completed within the scheme’s duration and funding level.

✔ 4. Strong Track Record or Potential

Early-career schemes: Evidence of potential (e.g., strong doctoral work, publications, endorsements).

Mid-career and senior awards: Demonstrated research leadership, scholarly output and contributions to public engagement or impact.

✔ 5. Institutional & Mentor Support

Especially for fellowships and international awards, evidence of strong host institution backing (letters of support, mentoring plans or clear institutional resources) adds credibility to the proposal.

✔ 6. Public Engagement & Communication

Some schemes (notably Mid-Career Fellowships) explicitly value plans for public communication, outreach or knowledge exchange, highlighting broader resonance beyond academia. The British Academy

✔ 7. Clarity & Persuasive Writing

Applications benefit from clear, structured writing (e.g., concise case for support, logically ordered sections), helping reviewers rapidly assess contribution, feasibility and impact.

🛠 Practical Application Tips

✔ Discuss early with referees and host institutions: Mentor and institutional support letters are often required.
✔ Tailor each proposal: Don’t reuse the same narrative — align with the specific criteria and objectives of each scheme.
✔ Address impact and outcomes: Clearly articulate how results will be disseminated (publications, workshops, public engagement).
✔ Plan for assessment criteria: Familiarise yourself with scheme guidance notes and scoring criteria before drafting. The British Academy

📌 Summary: British Academy Funding at a Glance

Scheme	Target	Focus	Typical Support
Postdoctoral Fellowships	Early career researchers	Independent research + career development	3 years fully funded The British Academy
Mid-Career Fellowships	Outstanding confirmed researchers	Time to complete major research + public engagement	Varied The British Academy
BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants	Postdoctoral or equivalent	Discrete research project costs	Up to £10,000 The British Academy
Academy Research Projects	UK-based academics	Primary research across humanities/social sciences	Up to ~£25,000 The British Academy
International Fellowships	International researchers	Two-year research relocation	~£12,000 + relocation The British Academy
ECRN Seed Fund	Early Career Network members	Small seed projects	Up to ~£5,000 The British Academy
Evidence-informed policymaking Grants	UK/international collaborations	Policy-focused research	Up to ~£150,000

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must:

Have a PhD, or applicants in the final stages of their PhD will be accepted provided that the PhD will be completed (including viva) before the Final Awards Committee meets on the 1 June 2026.
Applicants should have no more than five years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).
Be working outside the UK.
Not hold UK citizenship.
Be competent in oral and written English.
Have a clearly defined and mutually-beneficial research proposal agreed with a UK host researcher.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: British Academy

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 10–11 Carlton House Terrace London SW1Y 5AH

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