British Academy International Fellowships 2027

The British Academy has introduced institutional demand management for the 2027 round. The University of Oxford will operate an internal selection process before applications can proceed to the funder.

Deadline: Monday 9^th November 2026, 10:00 am GMT

About the scheme

The British Academy International Fellowships programme supports outstanding early-career researchers based internationally to undertake two years of original research at a UK institution, develop an independent research career, gain new skills, and build international research relationships. The British Academy supports research within the humanities and social sciences. Awards last 24 months and are funded at 80% of full economic cost; the scheme includes research expenses and relocation costs, subject to funder rules.

Links to information on the British Academy website:

• Scheme webpage (2027): https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/international-fellowships/
• Scheme guidance: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/international-fellowships/guidance-notes/
• Frequently asked questions: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/international-fellowships/frequently-asked-questions/

Note: Although the British Academy webpage is now headed 2027, its linked scheme and application guidance documents remain labelled 2026 at the time of this advertisement. Links will be updated when website materials are updated. If revised 2027 guidance changes material requirements, SAME may need to reassess applications and seek clarification or support for the same.

Eligibility: initial checks

• Applicants must have completed a PhD (including viva) by 1 June 2027; 
• have no more than five years of active full-time postdoctoral experience at application (with eligible career breaks discounted); 
• not hold UK citizenship; 
• be competent in written and spoken English; 
• have a mutually beneficial research proposal agreed with a UK host researcher;
• not have lived, worked, or undertaken research in the UK during the 12 months before applying (exceptions apply for short visits totalling less than three months, refugees, and those with humanitarian protection);
• not currently be living, working, or undertaking research in the UK, or be employed overseas by a UK organization;
• and must not have previously held a Newton International Fellowship.

Applicants must contact and discuss their proposal with an existing member of SAME academic staff who has agreed to act as their proposed UK mentor before submitting an EOI.

Departmental and divisional selection

SAME will hold an internal selection process and can put forward only one EOI to the Social Sciences Division gathered-field selection process. 

The Social Sciences Division may support up to four applications to the British Academy across the Division. 

Departmental selection does not guarantee divisional endorsement.

• SAME departmental EOI deadline: Monday 9 November 2026, 10:00 am GMT
• SAME panel decision: Wednesday 18 November 2026
• Social Sciences Division EOI deadline: Wednesday 25 November 2026, 12 noon GMT

Departmental EOI:

Please email the following materials to research@anthro.ox.ac.uk by 10:00 am (UK time) on Monday 9^th November:

• an applicant CV (maximum two pages), including
  • PhD title, awarding institution, and date awarded (or anticipated submission/viva date), doctoral supervisor(s); internal and external examiners, where known
  • qualifications in reverse chronological order
  • present appointment and institution (or doctoral student/non-academic employment status, as applicable)
  • publications in reverse chronological order
  • all academic posts held, with dates; teaching experience; and experience organising conferences, workshops, or similar activities (state none if applicable).
• a mentor support statement from a current SAME academic staff member (maximum one page). The mentor statement should address the applicant’s suitability, the proposed research, and planned career development, and confirm the mentor’s commitment to project development, mentoring, and guidance throughout the fellowship.
• a brief covering email confirming eligibility and stating whether you currently have the right to work in the UK, your nationality (all nationalities if multiple), and your current country of residence. 
• research proposal (in a single Word document): 
  • Project title
  • Abstract for an informed non-specialist audience (maximum 400 words)
  • Previous research undertaken, including the doctoral thesis (maximum 3,000 characters including spaces).
  • Proposed programme: aims, objectives, research questions, methodology (maximum 1500 words).
  • Planned research outputs (e.g. monograph, articles, chapters, digital resources) (maximum 200 words)
  • Plans for publication and wider dissemination, including potential outlets and activities (maximum 200 words).
  • Ethical issues associated with the proposed research (maximum 300 words)
  • Potential benefits to the overseas country/territory and/or country/territory of origin (maximum 200 words).
  • Potential benefits to the UK and UK research (maximum 200 words).

Please contact SAME Research Support at research@anthro.ox.ac.uk before the deadline with any questions about the departmental process.