British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships 2026-27
Three-year British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships for UK-based early-career researchers showing exceptional talent in both research and public engagement in SHAPE subjects.
| Amount / funding | Up to £140,000 over three years (not on a Full Economic Costing basis); funding for public engagement work, travel and mentorship; six researchers in the fifth cohort |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 14 December 2026, 17:00 GMT (applications and organisational approval; call opened 21 October 2026) |
| Start date | 1 September 2027 – 1 January 2028 (starting period); notification of results May 2027 |
| Level | Postdoc |
| Funding type | partial |
| Field |
About this scholarship
Three-year British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships for UK-based early-career researchers showing exceptional talent in both research and public engagement in SHAPE subjects.
Minimum requirements
UK-based early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences (SHAPE subjects) showing exceptional talent in both research and public engagement; viva voce examination on or after 14 December 2019 (seven years before the closing date); fellowship tenable for three years in a UK-based university, higher education institution or independent research organisation.
Application checklist
- Online application via Flexi-Grant (the Academy's grant management system)
- Applications and organisational approval by 14 December 2026 17:00 GMT
- check the scheme guidance notes, application guidance notes and FAQs on the British Academy website for the full document list
Application tips
- Submit well before the deadline — organisational approval is also due by 14 December 2026 17:00 GMT.
- The scheme rewards research AND public engagement talent equally — evidence both.
- Check the viva-date rule: on or after 14 December 2019.
- Results come May 2027 with starts between 1 September 2027 and 1 January 2028.
Always verify deadline, amount and eligibility on the official page before applying. Values marked ESTIMATE are based on a previous cycle and are not confirmed for the current round.
Tags: Humanities, Social sciences, SHAPE subjects, Public engagement