Funding Call – Postdoctoral Fellowships: Outline Stage 2021-22

The British Academy is inviting proposals from early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences wishing to pursue an independent research project, towards the completion of a significant piece of publishable research.

Aims
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship offers outstanding early career researchers the opportunity to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in an academic environment. This scheme 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. The Postdoctoral Fellowship is non-renewable.

Eligibility requirements
The applicant must be a researcher from the humanities and social sciences and be based at an eligible university or research organisation. Suitable institutions include any UK university or recognised research organisation based in the UK. British citizens and any nationals from the EEA are eligible, regardless of where their doctorate was obtained. Anyone of any nationality who has a doctorate from a UK university is eligible. If an applicant does not meet the prior categories, they may be accepted if they can demonstrate “strong prior association” with the UK academic community. Applicants must be of early career status, meaning they must apply within three years from the date of their successful viva voce examination. The applicant must already be of postdoctoral status at the time when the Research Awards Committee meets.

For this next round only, we have decided to extend the eligibility period considering the difficulties faced by researchers as a result of the pandemic. We recognise the impact that COVID-19 may have had on the ability of some researchers to make applications in the past year. If you have completed your viva voce between November 2018 and April 2022 you will be eligible to apply to this round.

Value and duration
The scheme is covered under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) regime. Currently, the Academy funds 80% of salary costs, directly allocated and indirect costs under FEC. The Fellowship is tenable for three years, starting autumn 2021 in a UK-based university or higher education institution.

Application process
Applications must be submitted online using the British Academy’s Grant Management System (GMS), Flexi-Grant®.

The deadline for submissions and UK institutional approval is Thursday 14 October 2021 (17.00 UK time).

Contact details
Email: [email protected]