If you’re an ambitious early-career researcher in the humanities or social sciences with a passion for producing groundbreaking research, here’s a golden opportunity to carve your academic path in the UK.
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 are now open for applications! This prestigious three-year fellowship is designed to support outstanding postdoctoral scholars from around the world, offering them the freedom to pursue independent research at top UK institutions while integrating into vibrant academic communities.
What’s This Fellowship All About?
Funded by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship is a non-renewable, three-year award tailored for early-career researchers. It empowers them to carry out a significant and publishable piece of research while gaining valuable teaching experience and mentorship at a UK-based institution.
The ultimate goal? To enhance your academic CV and position you strongly for a future permanent role in academia.
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is not just for UK nationals—it’s truly international:
- Open to British citizens, EEA nationals, and anyone holding a doctorate from a UK university, regardless of nationality.
- Applicants with a strong prior association with the UK academic community may also be considered.
- You must have passed your viva voce between 1 April 2023 and 1 April 2026, meaning you’re still early in your postdoc journey.
- You must be of postdoctoral status by the time the awards committee reviews the applications.
Fellows must be based at an eligible UK university or research organisation throughout the duration of the award.
What’s in the Package?
- Duration: 3 years (starting Autumn 2026)
- Funding: Covered under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) model; the British Academy funds 80% of salary, along with directly allocated and indirect research costs.
- A chance to be mentored by senior academics, participate in teaching, and become part of a globally respected academic network.
Apply: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/postdoctoral-fellowships/
Application Submission Period
Applications for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 open on 2 July 2025, with the final deadline to submit your application set for 1 October 2025 at 17:00 BST. Successful fellows can expect to begin their research projects as early as 1 September 2026.