The University of Surrey’s Institute of Advanced Studies funds visits that pair an external fellow with one or more Surrey academics. The 2027–28 round covers visits between 1 August 2027 and 31 July 2028, with at least two weeks spent at Surrey in total.
Four routes cover external academics, public servants, entrepreneurs, and artists in residence. Fellows are expected to deliver specific collaborative outcomes and contribute to University life through activities such as seminars, lectures, doctoral meetings, workshops, or concerts.
Benefits & funding
- Fellows receive an allowance of up to £5,000 for travel, subsistence, and other expenses at the University; it does not fund salary.
- Eligible costs can include economy travel, approved accommodation, local transport, visa costs, health insurance, living expenses, and approved research visits within the UK.
- The grant may include an honorarium toward living costs for self-employed artists, while companions’ travel and subsistence are not covered.
Eligibility
- Applicants of all nationalities may apply, but every application must be supported and submitted by a University of Surrey academic host.
- External academics should normally work outside the UK at an academic or government-funded research institute, hold a doctorate or equivalent professional experience, and have an excellent established record; current PhD students are not supported.
- Public servants should normally work in the public sector in the UK or abroad, while entrepreneurs and artists need relevant professional experience; all three routes require an excellent established record in the applicant’s field.
- Previous IAS Fellowship recipients may not reapply, and a Surrey host may submit only one application to the annual Fellowship round.
- There is no discipline restriction, but the fellow must work closely with one or more Surrey academics and complete at least two weeks of visits in total.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Identify a University of Surrey academic host and agree the proposed collaboration, visit dates, activities, outputs, and budget.
- 2The host completes the online form using University credentials and selects the relevant Fellowship route.
- 3Supply the requested topic, 500-word work description, measurable outcomes, collaboration and continuation plans, intellectual-property arrangements, visit duration, itemised budget, 500-word CV, and both Heads of Department contacts.
- 4The Surrey host submits the application by 23:59 on 16 October 2026.
- 5The IAS checks eligibility and completeness, confirms institutional support with both Heads of Department, and has its Advisory Board rank eligible applications; applicants and hosts are notified in December 2026.
Program timeline
Application deadline
16 October 2026, 23:59
Applicants and hosts notified of decisions
December 2026
Fellowship visit window opens
1 August 2027
Fellowship visit window closes
31 July 2028