Applications are invited from suitably qualified applicants for the British Academy Innovation Fellowships 2026. The Fellowship aims to provide early and mid-career researchers the opportunity to interact with FCDO and…[full details below]
The British Academy Innovation Fellowships 2026 are inviting applications from suitably qualified researchers interested in developing stronger connections between academic research and public policy. The fellowship is designed to give early-career and mid-career researchers an opportunity to engage with policymakers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Cabinet Office. Through this experience, fellows can gain a better understanding of how research can contribute to policy development and decision-making.
The Innovation Fellowships Programme is also intended to help researchers build meaningful relationships across the policy and academic communities. By bringing researchers and policymakers into closer contact, the programme provides a platform for fellows to exchange knowledge, develop collaborative opportunities, and explore how academic expertise can be applied in practical policy settings. This experience can be particularly valuable for researchers who want to broaden the impact of their work beyond traditional academic environments.
The programme can also support the professional development of successful applicants across a range of sectors, including creative, cultural, public, private, and policy-related fields. If you are an early or mid-career researcher looking to expand your professional network and gain experience working at the intersection of research and policymaking, the British Academy Innovation Fellowships may be relevant to your career goals. Prospective applicants should review the official eligibility requirements and application guidelines before submitting their applications.
SUMMARY:
- Fellowship Sponsors: The British Academy, and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
- Fellowship Type: Post-Doctoral
- Fellowship Duration: 12 months
- Number of Awards: Several
- Basic Qualifications: PhD
- Nationality: All Nationalities
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To participate in the British Academy Innovation Fellowships, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be an early-career or mid-career researcher with demonstrated expertise aligned to the FCDO’s thematic areas.
- Be based at an institution in the UK (e.g. a Higher Education Institution [HEI] or Independent Research Organisation [IRO]), from disciplines within the Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Submit all outstanding reports for previous British Academy awards, if applicable.
- Have received your Head of Department’s supporting statement.
- Are able to commit to working with the FCDO for up to 12 months, at 0.6 to 0.8 FTE, as part of this fellowship.
Scope of the Fellowship
Applications are welcome in any of the following areas:
- Applied History
- Critical Infrastructure and European Warfare
- South Asia Geopolitics and Regional Security
- The UK-France relationship in 2027 and beyond
- UK National Security Strategy
Fellowship Benefits
- Awards of up to £120,000 for 12 months in duration (with Full Economic Costing at 80 per cent).
Application Procedures
How-to-Apply: Interested applicants for the British Academy Innovation Fellowship 2026 are to complete an online application using the British Academy’s Grant Management System (GMS), Flexi-Grant.
Applicants must provide all the required information and documents on or before the application deadline.
Application Deadline: 18th November 2026, 17:00 (GMT).