British Academy International Fellowships 2026

The International Fellowships Programme, jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society, provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. 

These 2-year awards are intended for non-UK early career researchers who wish to conduct research in the UK. Each award is expected to involve a specific and protected research focus with the award holder undertaking high quality, original research.

How to apply

Applications for internal IoA review

The internal deadline for applications is 30 January 2026 (5pm UK time), for which applicants will need to provide a CV (max. 2 pages) and a PDF of the Flexi-Grant application form (the scheme is due to open on 15 January 2026 and the application form should be available at this time).

Applicants must have made contact with a member of Institute of Archaeology staff who will need to agree to mentor them and support their application. 

Mentors will be required to provide a statement of support by the above deadline outlining their support for the application and the fit of the applicant’s research with existing and/or planned Institute research activities. They will also need to comment on:

1. the suitability of the applicant for the fellowship and their potential to develop an independent research career;
2. the importance and academic merit of the proposed research and the clarity, quality and originality of the proposed project and likely contribution to the research field;
3. if the research plan is clearly defined and feasible.

Eligibility

• Applicants should have no more than five years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application.  This is a change from the previous 0-7 years post-PhD. Career breaks, parental leave and other periods of leave outside of academia will still be discounted from this time period.
• The applicant must already be of postdoctoral status, i.e. have had their viva voce, by the time the International Fellowships Final Awards Panel meets on the 1 June in the year of application.
• Applicants must hold a PhD from a non-UK institution. Applicants who hold a UK PhD are eligible for the British Academy’s Post Doctoral Fellowships scheme. Those with UK based Masters will still be eligible to apply. 

Full eligibility requirements are detailed on the British Academy website and applicants must clearly confirm their eligibility to apply in terms of PhD award and mobility criteria.

Please direct any enquiries about this funding scheme to Jo Dullaghan, Research Coordinator, UCL Institute of Archaeology.

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