Anthropology Research Bulletin

John Fell Fund - EOIs for Trinity Term 2026

Please note that we are now past the internal deadline for costing assistance requests for the John Fell Fund - TT26. 

Hazem Ben-Gacem Tunisian Collaboration and Research Grants

This award, of up to £5,000 each, is open to DPhils and academics working in the fields of humanities or social sciences at the University of Oxford, with the aim of supporting field research in Tunisia and collaborative projects with Tunisian scholars. All application materials should be sent by email to tunisia-oxford@sant.ox.ac.uk. Rolling deadline. 

Funding opportunities for Policy Engagement

The University of Oxford offers dedicated funding for policy engagement, supporting policy-relevant projects, project components, partnerships, and events. Colleagues can also access information on external funding opportunities for policy-facing work.

Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk if you are interested in applying to any of these calls.

To discuss any of these options further, contact the Policy Engagement Team at researchandpublicpolicy@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Note: UKRI is currently reviewing its funding portfolio to transition to a new investment framework. Some competitive funding calls (mostly applicant led, responsive mode) have been paused. We expect to hear more from the UKRI on progress of this review in the spring. The funding pause involves BBSRC, MRC and EPSRC.

Links for more information: ​More information about UKRI review of investment approach, pause in funding calls and an open letter from Ian Chapman (UKRI)

ESRC GUDTP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

Gathered Field dates have been released for the ESRC GUDTP PDFs. The EOI deadline for this call for applicants wishing to apply through the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography will be 10:00am (UK BST) on 20th April 2026.

Expression of interest: sandpit: AI supported research using UKRI social science data

Submit an expression of interest to attend a two‑day in‑person sandpit in Manchester on 23 to 24 June 2026 to develop high-level ideas on AI‑supported social science using UKRI data. The sandpit will bring together around 40 experts to co‑create proposals to UKRI. After the sandpit, participants will be invited to submit applications for projects of up to £230,000 FEC. UKRI will fund 80% of the FEC.

This opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Full participation in the sandpit is required to be eligible to apply for funding. You must complete an expression of interest to apply to attend the sandpit by 4:00pm on 12th May 2026. 

Pre-announcement: ESRC React Awards (pilot)

React awards enable time-critical research to support policymakers and practitioners delivering frontline public services in the UK. Researchers must work with public sector partners to respond to emerging and urgent evidence needs and deliver impactful outputs within six months. Awards between £50-100k are expected to be made, and the scheme is expected to open in April, and published guidelines may be changed or updated then. 

Pre-announcement: ESRC Connect Awards (pilot)

Connect awards foster connections between researchers to scope, seed and grow emerging research fields and new areas of inquiry. The opportunity provides a space for early collaboration on ideas within and beyond the social sciences that are novel, exploratory and high-risk, helping to build the foundations for future strategically important research and innovation. Awards between £50-100k are expected to be made, and the scheme is expected to open in April, and published guidelines may be changed or updated then. 

UKRI Translation: AHRC Proof of Concept

UKRI Translation: AHRC Proof of Concept supports arts and humanities activity that translate previously funded AHRC/UKRI projects into real world economic, societal, cultural or policy impact. This opportunity was previously known as AHRC responsive mode: follow-on funding for impact and engagement. Open call – no closing date.

Pre-Announcement: British Election Study 2027-2032

Apply for the opportunity to run the British Election Study between 2027 and 2037, and the funding for the 2029 UK general election in Great Britain and surveys aligned to local elections. The call is not yet open, and details on eligibility and requirements on the linked page may change – please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk if you plan to apply.

ESRC responsive mode: research grants round two

This opportunity funds researcher-driven basic, applied, and strategic research from any disciplines and on any topics in ESRC’s remit. This includes standard research projects, methodological development, large-scale surveys or other infrastructures. The full economic cost of your project can range from £350,000 to £1 million. The duration of the award is up to five years. Open call – no closing date.

ESRC responsive mode: secondary data analysis round two

Individuals and research teams can apply for funding to support high-impact, policy-and-practitioner-relevant research through deeper exploitation of existing data resources from any disciplines and on any topics in ESRC’s remit. The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £300,000. Open call – no closing date.

ESRC responsive mode: UKRI-SBE lead agency opportunity round two

The UKRI-SBE lead agency funding opportunity allows UK and US-based researchers to submit a collaborative proposal that will go through a single review process. Grants are funded through existing funding programmes at the relevant lead agency. Open call – no closing date.

Daphne Jackson Fellowship

These fellowships are for those looking to return to a research career after a break. You must be eligible for UKRI funding. Open call - no closing date. 

AHRC responsive mode: Curiosity Award

Flexible awards to fund fundamental research that leads to new research agendas, networking activity and idea generation, which enables the development of further research opportunities and new research agendas. Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk if you plan to apply. Open call - no closing date. 

Join the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network

The University of Oxford is now a consortium partner of the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (BA ECRN) – South East branch. The BA ECRN is a network to help, support, develop and empower early career colleagues undertaking Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SHAPE) research in the UK. Any colleague with up to 10 years of research experience in SHAPE disciplines since obtaining their PhD (or equivalent) and who is based in the South East region can sign up to the network.

Membership provides access to:

• Transdisciplinary and inter-institutional networking that could lead to new research collaborations
• Seed funding for research projects (up to £5K)
• Up to £300 for development outside of BA ECRN activity or conferences
• Travel funds to attend BA ECRN events

None at the moment. 

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

Gathered Field dates have been released for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships. The EOI deadline for this call for applicants wishing to apply through the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography will be 09:00 (UK BST) on Thursday 23^rd April 2026. We can only support applications to the European Postdoctoral Fellowship. Please note the guidelines linked above are subject to change when the call for the scheme opens, and will be updated based on published details after 9^th April 2026.

ERC Advanced Grant 2026

The ERC Advanced Grant 2026 is one of the European Research Council’s flagship funding schemes, designed to support established research leaders who have already demonstrated a strong track record of significant scientific achievements. The grant offers up to €2.5 million over a maximum period of five years, with the possibility of an additional €1 million—or up to €2 million for those relocating from outside Europe—to cover major costs such as equipment, infrastructure, or the establishment of a research team. The funding is awarded as a lump sum. Successful applicants must dedicate at least 30% of their working time to the project and spend at least 50% of their time in an EU Member State or associated country. While applicants can be based anywhere in the world at the time of application, the research itself must be carried out at a host institution within Europe.

SAME Expression of Interest Stage

Please note that the internal competition has been scheduled in advance of the scheme opening, taking capacity into account. However, any subsequent changes to guidelines, eligibility criteria, or related policies may necessitate a review of the applicants we are able to support once the scheme opens.

SAME will hold an internal competition to decide which application(s) will be put forward under the scheme. If you intend to apply, please send the following materials to research@anthro.ox.ac.uk by 10am on Monday 4^th May 2026:

• An outline of your proposed project (maximum 10 pages A4, Arial font size 11), covering the following headings:
  
  • Overview of the research project
  • Current state of knowledge
  • Scientific questions and objectives
  • Overall research strategy
  • Methodology
  • Work plan
  • Risk assessment and mitigation
  • Additional background (if needed)

• Summary CV (no more than 2 pages A4, Arial font size 11) demonstrating eligibility for the scheme.

Please indicate in the subject line your name and "ERC-ADG-2026". Please note that there will be additional internal deadlines for candidate(s) invited to submit a full application.

Information about the scheme is available on the ERC website, and may be further updated on the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal when the call opens on 28th May 2026. 

Requests for further information are welcome at research@anthro.ox.ac.uk.

Frederick Williamson Memorial Fund

The Williamson Fund for research grants on topics relating to the relating to the peoples of Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim and neighbouring Himalayan areas, their society, religion and material culture is now open for applications. Deadline for applications is 30th April 2026. Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk by 30th March 2026 if interested in applying. 

Fireside Writing Chats: Crafting Worlds Through Ethnography and Nonfiction

All Souls College, Oxford. Occasional Thursdays, 5-6.30pm, facilitated by Professor Alpa Shah and Dr Maxim Bolt

These gatherings offer an intimate look at the craft behind ethnography and other nonfiction books rooted in deep, sustained research. Some of the most thoughtful voices share their work and reflect on why and how they write, exploring the blurred lines between scholarship, art, and public engagement. The conversations bring together a vibrant, supportive community of anthropologists and kindred writers dedicated to writing that engages the world — and helps imagine a more just and liveable one. 

• 4th June 2026 (Room tbc). Bart van Es discussing his “The Cut Out Girl: A Story of War and Family, Lost and Found”

Full details of visiting fellowships  

Looking for AI support for your research project? Did you know the AI and ML Competency Centre provides technical guidance, training, and hands-on demonstrations for projects from across the University? Read here how the team have been supporting innovative research across Oxford. Whether academics are exploring AI for the first time or looking to build more advanced applications, the Centre is here to provide the tools, knowledge and confidence to take ideas forward. If you have a project that could benefit from the Centre’s expertise, get in touch through the expression of interest form.

The Academic Writing Community is a drop in writing group for SSD DPhils and Early Career Researchers which meets weekly during term time, follow the link here for more details.

The Bodleian Libraries is delighted to launch SHOx (Short-form Hosting at Oxford), a new hosting service supporting Oxford’s community of scholars in publishing short-form research titles such as journals, working paper collections, and conference proceedings. Developed in partnership with the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), SHOx offers an intuitive, open-source publishing workflow through Open Journal Systems (OJS), ensuring full control over editorial processes and peer review. As a diamond open access platform, SHOx enables free publishing and reading for all, enhancing visibility, accessibility, and impact of Oxford research. Staff and student-led titles are invited to join this growing community for scholarly publishing at Oxford.