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). The earliest possible start date is 1st September 2027. Start can be no later than 1st January 2028.
For detailed information about this scheme please visit: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/postdoctoral-fellowships/
Please note that the call is set to open on 1st July 2026. Guidance below has been taken from last year’s call, and may be subject to changes once the call opens.
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- Gathered Field for consideration for departmental support (15th July 2026)
The department is only able to support a limited number of applications to this Fellowship scheme.
Please check your eligibility against the scheme criteria on the official call page. In particular, please note the viva voce date range for eligibility. Please note that the guidance materials currently available relate to last year's funding call. Updated guidance will be published when the new call opens, so we recommend checking back for the latest information.
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 Wednesday 15th July 2026:
• 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 August 2026.
Stage 2 – British Academy Outline Application (September 2026)
The funder submission deadline is Wednesday, 30th September 2026 (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. Institutional and departmental approval deadline will apply.
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 2027, 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. Institutional and departmental approval deadline will apply.
The result of second stage are expected end of June 2027.
Please direct any queries to the SAME Research Support Team at research@anthro.ox.ac.uk.
