British Academy-Sponsored Institutes and Societies (BASIS)

The British Academy has since 1950 been the British Government's principal channel of financial support to a set of institutions engaged in fieldwork and research in the humanities and social sciences.  

Nine organisations are currently supported. Much of this work takes place overseas, and the British Academy also supports the Council for British Archaeology.

All the organisations are autonomous bodies, conducting, enabling and supporting research in collaboration with a wide range of overseas partners. These bodies provide expertise, logistical support, the means of disseminating results, and in some cases a physical base with research facilities.

BASIS institutions maintain an active programme of UK and overseas lectures and conferences.

In addition to its grant from the Academy, each organisation has income of its own, from subscriptions, donations and project-specific grants.

Each publishes its own annual report and accounts.

BASIS is the committee appointed by the Academy's Council to oversee the funding of these organisations so that UK scholars across the humanities and social sciences can undertake world-class original research and fieldwork in overseas regions of strategic importance to the Academy.

The BASIS terms of reference and strategic objectives are reviewed by the Council each year.