The British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship gives established researchers protected time away from normal academic and administrative duties. It supports a major piece of original humanities or social sciences research alongside a clear public-engagement and communication plan. Award holders remain based at an eligible UK university, higher education institution or Independent Research Organisation for 6 to 12 months, with starts from 1 September 2027 to 1 January 2028.
Benefits & funding
- The award is calculated at 80% of Full Economic Cost, with an expected maximum total Academy contribution of £152,000.
- The Academy’s contribution to the fellow’s salary is capped at £80,000 at 80% FEC. Salary and research costs together are capped at £80,000 of Directly Incurred costs at 80% FEC.
- Research costs may be requested up to £8,000 at 80% FEC, within the Directly Incurred cap.
- The host organisation is responsible for the remaining 20% of costs. The award is intended to buy out 100% of the fellow’s time for 6 to 12 months.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be employed by a UK university, other UK higher education institution or Independent Research Organisation.
- The proposed work must be original, independent research in the humanities or social sciences.
- Applicants should already have made an outstanding contribution to their field and have a strong record as a communicator. They would usually be within 15 years of receiving a doctorate; career breaks are considered, and established researchers without a doctorate would usually be within 15 years of their first academic appointment. This timeframe is guidance rather than a strict cutoff.
- The Academy does not use physical age as an eligibility test, but applicants still working toward a PhD or awaiting their viva outcome or submission of corrections are ineligible. The published scheme rules do not state a nationality or residency requirement.
- Previous Mid-Career Fellowship holders cannot apply again. The same proposal may be resubmitted once if revised and the applicant remains eligible.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Register for an ORCID identifier and sign in to the British Academy’s Flexi-Grant system.
- 2Complete the eligibility declaration, research proposal, proposal focus, applicant details, career summary, financial details, nominated-referee and equal-opportunities sections.
- 3Nominate one referee from outside the employing institution and ensure the referee submits a supporting statement through Flexi-Grant.
- 4Submit the completed application for organisational approval early enough for the employing institution to approve and send it by 17:00 BST on 26 August 2026.
Program timeline
Final deadline for the employing institution to approve and submit the application.
26 August 2026, 17:00 BST
Results expected.
Late March 2027
Permitted starting period.
1 September 2027–1 January 2028
6–12 months after the selected start date
Fellowship ends.