Prestigious Fully Funded Three-Year Fellowship for Early-Career Researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences
British Academy
Programme Location
• Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026–27 at the University of Birmingham provide an exceptional opportunity for outstanding early-career researchers to pursue independent research while developing their academic careers in one of the world's leading research environments. The fellowship supports innovative projects across the humanities and social sciences and is designed to help researchers establish themselves as future leaders in their fields.
Fellows receive dedicated time to conduct original research, publish high-quality scholarly work, expand international collaborations, and gain valuable teaching and professional development experience. Hosted by the University of Birmingham, successful applicants will become part of a vibrant academic community with access to world-class facilities, mentoring, and interdisciplinary research networks.
The programme aims to strengthen the next generation of scholars by providing substantial financial support and a platform for long-term academic career development within the UK higher education sector.
Eligibility Criteria
• Must be an early-career researcher in the humanities or social sciences
• Must have passed their PhD viva between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027
• Must have postdoctoral status before the fellowship begins
• Must not hold a permanent academic position
• Must secure support from an eligible UK host institution
• Must identify an academic mentor at the host institution
• Demonstrated record of high-quality research achievement and future potential
• Research proposal must align with the humanities or social sciences disciplines supported by the
fellowship
Funding / Fellowship Benefits
The fellowship typically includes:
• Three years of funded postdoctoral research support
• Salary support through the Full Economic Costing (FEC) model
• Funding for eligible research-related expenses
• Access to university research facilities and resources
• Academic mentoring and career development support
• Opportunities for teaching and professional experience
• Participation in conferences, workshops, and research networks
• Integration into leading UK and international research communities
• Enhanced prospects for securing permanent academic positions
Eligible Fields of Study
• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• History
• Politics and International Studies
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Human Geography
• Philosophy
• Economics
• Law
• Linguistics
• Education
• Cultural Studies
• Area Studies
• Related Humanities and Social Science Disciplines
13 september 2026