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2023/2024 British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme

12 May 2023

UCL Political Science is welcoming applications to pursue a British Academy Post-doctoral Fellowship at our department. Internal deadline 26th June 2023 (BA deadline likely in mid-October 2023)

British Academy

In brief

The Department of Political Science is now welcoming applications for the 2023/2024 British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme, with deadline expected around 11th October 2023, 5pm. Please note the call will be out in July 2023, however guidelines are unlikely to fundamentally change.

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship offers outstanding early career researchers the opportunity to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment. 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 Fellowship is tenable for three years, starting, at the earliest, on 1 September 2024, in a UK based University or Higher Education Institution. The Fellowship is non-renewable. Currently, the Academy funds 80% of salary costs, with the balance paid by UCL. Research expenses are covered at 100% within the upper limit, which is set at £6,000 over the three years. The application will be in two stages: the Outline Stage (Oct 2023), open for everyone within the eligibility criteria, and the Second Stage, by invitation only (expected deadline Feb 2024).


Main points on eligibility:

  • Applicants must be supported by the UK host institution in which they wish to hold the Fellowship
  • Applicants must be within 3 years of the award of a doctorate (i.e. with a viva between 1 Apr 2021 and 1 April 2024)
  • Applicants may only apply once in the 3 years they are eligible.
  • Applicants must already be of postdoctoral status at the time when the Research Awards Committee meets. Applicants who expect to have had their viva by 1 April 2024, are eligible for consideration, but will have to withdraw their application if the examination is not completed on time.
  • Those with a permanent academic post are ineligible to apply.
  • Applicants must be either a UK/EEA national, or have completed a doctorate at a UK university.

 
Applications should be sent to Nils Metternich and Monica Burgess by 9am on 26th June 2023. Please contact Monica Burgess if you have any questions.

Associated documents:

 

 

UCL Political Science British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships call 2023/2024 in full

 

The Department of Political Science is now welcoming applications for the 2023/2024 British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme, with deadline expected 11th October 2023, 5pm. The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship offers outstanding early career researchers the opportunity to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment. 

This scheme aims to help develop the award holder’s curriculum vitae and boost their prospects of obtaining a permanent university 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 Fellowship is tenable for three years, starting, at the earliest, on 1 September 2024, in a UK based University or Higher Education Institution. The Fellowship is non-renewable. Currently, the Academy funds 80% of salary costs, with the balance paid by UCL. Research expenses are covered at 100% within the upper limit, which is set at £6,000 over the three years. 

The application will be in two stages: the Outline Stage (Oct 2023), open for everyone within the eligibility criteria, and the Second Stage, by invitation only (expected deadline Feb 2024). Main points on eligibility:
 

  • Applicants must be supported by the UK host institution in which they wish to hold the Fellowship
  • Applicants must be within 3 years of the award of a doctorate (i.e. with a viva between 1 Apr 2021 and 1 April 2024) 
  • Applicants may only apply once in the 3 years they are eligible. Previously unsuccessful applicants will only be able to submit another application if specifically invited to do so by the British Academy.
  • Applicants are encouraged to consider moving to a different institution for the Postdoctoral Fellowship from that at which the doctorate was undertaken. 
  • Exemption from the above criterion may be granted for reasons occurring after the date of the viva voce examination such as: maternity leave, illness, family commitments etc.
  • Applicants must already be of postdoctoral status at the time when the Research Awards Committee meets. Applicants who expect to have had their viva by 1 April 2024, are eligible for consideration, but will have to withdraw their application if the examination is not completed on time.
  • Those with a permanent academic post are ineligible to apply.
  • Applicants must be either a UK/EEA national, or have completed a doctorate at a UK university. Applicants who do not fall into one of these categories must demonstrate a 'strong prior association' with the UK academic community. This is typically gained through having been employed in a temporary capacity at a UK university for at least 12 months

 
Candidates are required to send their proposal to Prof Nils Metternich (n.metternich@ucl.ac.uk), copying in Monica Burgess (polsci.research@ucl.ac.uk), by 9am on 26 June 2023. The proposal should include the following, as per BA guidelines:

  • Research Proposal Title
  • Abstract: Summarise your proposed research for an informed general audience (150 words)
  • Reason(s) for choice of host institution (150 words).
  • Previous Research: normally referring to the doctoral thesis (600 words)
  • Proposed Programme: description of the research programme, including methodology. Scholarly importance of the project and its feasibility, especially in terms of the proposed methodology and timescale should be emphasised (1500 words)
  • Plan of Action: Viability, specificity and originality of the research programme and of its achievability within the timescale should be emphasised (800 words)
  • CV including a list of publications


All potential candidates need to identify an academic within the Department of Political Science who would support their application and to contact them and have their agreement to act as a mentor, if successful. View a list of academics

Please also note that our Faculty has organized a briefing of this call on 14th June 2023, 10-11am. The online briefing will present an overview of the funding scheme and application process, as well as tips for writing a successful application. A current British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow will also share their advice and experience of applying. Registration here: https://forms.office.com/e/HidGChk6Cc

Please let Monica Burgess know if there are any questions.

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