British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026–27
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship is one of the UK’s most prestigious awards for early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. The 2026–27 call is due to open on 1 July 2026, with a deadline of 30 September 2026. This three-year fellowship provides comprehensive support for outstanding scholars to pursue independent, high-impact research at a UK host institution, publishing significant original work and developing their long-term academic career.
Key Details
- Award: Full funding for a 36-month (3-year) research fellowship at a UK university, including salary, research costs, and teaching opportunities
- Duration: 3 years; earliest start date is 1 September 2027
- Eligibility: Early-career researchers who completed their PhD viva between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027; applicants must be a UK/EEA national OR have completed their doctorate at a UK university, OR demonstrate a ‘strong prior association’ with the UK academic community; applicants may only apply once during their three-year eligibility window
- Fields: Humanities and Social Sciences (all disciplines covered by the British Academy’s remit)
- Call opens: 1 July 2026
- Application deadline: 30 September 2026 at 17:00 BST
- How to apply: Applications are submitted through the British Academy’s grants management system; full details will be published on thebritishacademy.ac.uk when the call opens
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship is highly competitive and is designed to support the very best early-career scholars in developing their research profile independently. Fellows gain experience in teaching, leadership, and academic publishing, building the foundation for a successful academic career. If you are in the early stages of your career following your PhD and work in any area of the humanities or social sciences, this is a transformative opportunity you should not miss.
Always verify deadlines and details on the official British Academy website before applying.