About the scheme:
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme is intended for early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences who wish to pursue an independent research project, towards the completion of a significant piece of publishable research. This scheme offers outstanding early career researchers the opportunity to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in an academic environment, and aims to help develop the award holder’s curriculum vitae and boost their prospects of obtaining a permanent academic post. The primary emphasis is on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research, and the integration of the award holder into the community of established scholars within their field.
Please note that the Fellowship is non-renewable, and can be held for 36 months (3 years), from 1st September 2026 (to start no later than 1st January 2027).
For detailed information about this scheme please visit:
Postdoctoral Fellowships | The British Academy
For those wishing to apply through the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography at the University of Oxford, there will be a three-stage process.
Stage 1- Expression of Interest for consideration for departmental support (August 2025)
Please check your eligibility against the scheme criteria here. In particular, please note the viva voce date range for eligibility.
As part of the expression of interest stage, please ensure that you have contacted a proposed mentor who is a member of SAME staff and confirmed their support.
You will then need to send the following materials to research@anthro.ox.ac.uk by 12 noon on Monday 11th August 2025:
• An outline of research (max 3 pages including references, 12 point Arial font).
• A CV (max 2 pages).
• A statement of support from mentor(s). This can be sent with the application materials, or separately by the mentor.
Candidates will be informed of the outcome of this stage by early September 2025.
Stage 2 – British Academy Outline Application (September – October 2025)
The funder submission deadline is Wednesday 1st October 2024 (17:00 GMT). Prior to this deadline, there will be a draft application review and feedback process supported by the SAME Research Support Team. Candidates who have secured departmental support to apply to the scheme will be sent details of this process, and will also be offered support from the Social Sciences Division.
Stage 3 – British Academy Full Application (early 2026) – by invitation only.
Candidates who are shortlisted after the BA’s outline application stage are expected to be notified in January 2026, and invited to submit a full application to the British Academy in February. These candidates will continue to receive support from the SAME Research Support team in the preparation of their applications. The result of second stage are expected end of June 2026.
Please direct any queries to the SAME Research Support Team at research@anthro.ox.ac.uk.
