Applications are now open for the 2026 British Academy International Fellowships Programme for early career researchers fully funded to UK

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Closing Date: 11 March 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 British Academy International Fellowships Programme for early career researchers fully funded to UK

International Fellowships 2026

The International Fellowships Programme enables researchers to work for two years at a UK institution with the aim of building a globally connected, mobile research and innovation workforce.

The British Academy International Fellowships programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. Each award is expected to involve a specific and protected research focus with the award holder undertaking high quality, original research. This scheme is jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society.

Aims

The overarching aim of the British Academy International Fellowships programme is to attract and retain emerging talent in the UK and build a globally connected, mobile research and innovation workforce. The objectives are to:

Attract talented International early career researchers to establish and conduct their research in the UK;
Support early career researchers to pursue high-quality and innovative lines of research;
Provide opportunities to acquire and transfer new skills and knowledge through training and career development;
Foster long-term relationships through networking opportunities and the International Fellowships alumni programme.

Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must:

Have a PhD, or applicants in the final stages of their PhD will be accepted provided that the PhD will be completed (including viva) before the Final Awards Committee meets on the 1 June 2026.
Applicants should have no more than five years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).
Be working outside the UK.
Not hold UK citizenship.
Be competent in oral and written English.
Have a clearly defined and mutually-beneficial research proposal agreed with a UK host researcher.

Applicants should ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes.

Duration and Value of Award

The International Fellowships offer support for two years and the award is offered at 80% FEC. Applicants may apply for research expenses of up to £12,000 and relocation costs of up to £8,000. Applicants will need to justify the level of research expenses and relocation costs requested in their application.

Applicants may also be eligible to receive follow on Alumni funding following the tenure of their Fellowship to support networking activities with UK-based or international researchers.

How to Apply

Applications can only be submitted online using the British Academy’s Grants and Awards management system (Flexi-Grant®) via https://britishacademy.flexigrant.com/
If you have not previously used Flexi-Grant®, please follow the registration process from the
Flexi-Grant®, homepage. Paper-based applications will not be accepted.
Before completing the online form, all applicants should check that they comply with the eligibility requirements and ensure all necessary information is presented in the application. These requirements are strictly adhered to and applications without all the necessary information, or evidence to show
the assessment criteria are met, will be rejected.
All applications must be approved by the UK Host Organisation and the applicant’s departmental support must be completed before you can submit via Flexi-Grant®. Late applications will not be accepted.
The application will always be treated as confidential.
Registered approving organisations will be available in the search bar. If your organisation is not listed, then please contact British Academy at [email protected] to request the addition of the
organisation.
It is required that research organisations be approved as eligible by the British Academy no later than two weeks before the deadline of this call. This means that they will need to be in touch with the Academy well before this date for the approval process to have been undertaken.