British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Forthcoming deadlines

The British Academy launched its new online electronic grant administration processing system, e-GAP2, on 20 August 2009.

Paper-based applications are no longer accepted.

Enquiries about the UK Research Awards Programmes should be directed to

grants@britac.ac.uk or posts@britac.ac.uk (if relevant to Fellowship schemes); enquiries about International funding programmes should be directed to overseas@britac.ac.uk.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

This scheme is designed to enable outstanding early career researchers to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment, which will develop their curriculum vitae and improve their prospects of obtaining permanent lecturing posts by the end of the Fellowship. Applicants are expected to be at an early stage of their academic career.

One round annually
Next deadline for submission of Outline applications: 6 October 2010
Applications available via e-GAP from mid August

Results of Outline stage expected: February 2011

Research taking place on a starting date between 1 September 2011 and 1 January 2012

British Academy/Leverhulme Senior Research Fellowships/Thank-offering to Britain Fellowships

The purpose of these awards, funded by the Leverhulme Trust and the Thank-Offering to Britain Fund respectively, and administered by the British Academy, is to provide a period of research leave for one year for established scholars during which they will be able to concentrate on bringing a major piece of research towards completion while their normal teaching and administrative duties are covered by a full-time replacement. These awards are not covered under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) regime.

One round annually
Next deadline for submission of Outline applications: November 2010
Results expected: February 2011
Research taking place on a starting date between 1 September 2011 and 1 January 2012

Small Research Grants

Grants are offered of up to £7,500 for collaborative or individual projects to facilitate initial project planning and development, to support the direct costs of research, and to enable the advancement of research through workshops or by visits by or to partner scholars.

Two rounds expected in 2010-11 academic session 
Deadline for submission of applications: expected to be late October 2010
Results expected: February 2011
Research taking place on or after: 1 March 2011

Conference Support Grants

Grants normally not exceeding £7,500 (but in exceptional circumstances up to £20,000) to promote the dissemination of advanced research. Conference convenors may apply for financial assistance, e.g. to bring key speakers to the UK, or for a wider range of expenses.

Two rounds expected in 2010-11 academic session
Next deadline for submission of applications: expected to be late October or early November 2010
Results expected: February 2011
Conferences happening on or after: 1 March 2011

Overseas Conference Grants

Grants are available for the travel expenses of a scholar delivering a paper at a conference abroad.

Two rounds expected in 2010-11 academic session
Next deadline for submission of Outline applications: expected to be late October or November 2010
Results expected: January 2011 
Conferences happening on or after: 1 February 2011

No calls for proposals are expected to be issued for the British Academy Wolfson Research Professorships during the 2010-11 academic year.

Announcements about further calls for Proposals during the 2010-11 academic year for competitions with more than one round per year will be made later.

International grants

British Academy/ACU Grants for International Collaboration

Grants are offered of up to £5,000 to support international joint activities involving British scholars in collaboration with Commonwealth partners. Applications must be for projects involving genuine collaborative work between a defined group of scholars in one, or possibly two, other Commonwealth countries.

One round annually
Applications Available From: 26 August 2010
Deadline for Submission of Applications: 13 October 2010
Results Expected: Jan/Feb 2011
Research/Visits Happening on or after: April 2011

International Agreements (Research Visits and Joint Projects)

Grants are available for individual research visits to, and joint projects, with the British Academy’s overseas partners (China, Georgia, Japan, Russia, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, and National Science Council, Taiwan).

Two rounds annually
Applications Available From: 26 August 2010
Deadline for Submission of Applications: 13 October 2010
Results Expected: Jan/Feb 2011
Research/Visits Happening on or after: April 2011

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships

These fellowships offer postdoctoral UK researchers the opportunity to conduct research in Japan, for periods of between 12-24 months. The British Academy acts as intermediary for this scheme, which is funded entirely by the JSPS and is subject to their terms and conditions. In its capacity as foreign nominating authority, the British Academy is entitled to nominate up to three candidates each year.

International Partnerships

Grants are available to support the development of institutional links between the UK and Africa, the Middle East or South Asia

One round annually
Deadline for Submission of Applications: The 2010 competition is now closed.
Results Expected: Award decisions have now been communicated.  Final award recipients will be posted on the Academy's webpages shortly

Dates for the next competition will be announced in the autumn. 

UK-Latin America and the Caribbean Link Programme

Grants are available to support the development of a joint seminar programme with institutions in Latin America or the Caribbean

One round annually
Deadline for Submission of Applications: The 2010 competition is now closed.
Results Expected: Award decisions have now been communicated.  Final award recipients will be posted on the Academy's webpages shortly

Dates for the next competition will be announced in the autumn. 

Dates for the next competition will be announced in the autumn. 

Newton International Fellowships

The British Academy will continue to participate with the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering in delivering the Newton International Fellowships scheme. For more information or to make an application see the Newton Fellowships website