The British Academy runs this policy-led route of its Innovation Fellowships with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Cabinet Office. Up to two fellows are hosted in the partner’s offices for a year.
Five placements are offered: applied history; critical infrastructure and European warfare; South Asia geopolitics and regional security; UK-France relations; and the UK National Security Strategy (Cabinet Office). Fellows join a team with a line manager, writing papers and briefing officials.
Benefits & funding
- Up to £150,000 at 100% full economic cost, of which the Academy pays 80% (up to £120,000); this may not cover every cost, so the institution may need to contribute.
- Mainly covers the fellow’s salary at 0.6–0.8 FTE, plus estates and indirect costs; equipment and open-access fees are excluded.
- 12 months, with line management and mentoring.
- Fellows are bound by the Official Secrets Act, and publications go through FCDO sensitivity review.
Eligibility
- Early- or mid-career researcher in the humanities or social sciences, ordinarily resident in the UK.
- A long-term appointment at a UK university or research organisation listed in Flexi-Grant, lasting at least the award period; independent researchers are not accepted.
- Placements 4.2–4.5: any nationality, but at least two years living in the UK. National Security Strategy placement: UK nationals only, with Developed Vetting (normally 10 years’ UK residence).
- Not a postgraduate student, nor awaiting a PhD viva or corrections.
- Security clearance is required before the offer is confirmed; close ties to the region covered may limit access.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Eligible applicants must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom with a current long-term appointment that will continue for at least as long as the period of the award at a UK-based institution (e.g., a Higher Education Institution [HEI] or Independent Research Organisation [IRO]). … While UK nationality for 4.2 - 4.5 is not essential, applicants need to have spent a minimum of two years living in the UK (having a UK bank account or UK address for is not enough).” Eligibility
Residence required
UK
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Application process
- 1Choose one placement; only one application may be submitted to this call.
- 2Apply in English on Flexi-Grant, entering costs at 100% FEC and justifying your FTE.
- 3Invite your Head of Department to submit a supporting statement (a deputy or head of school if you are the head).
- 4Your institution must approve the application by 18 November 2026, 17:00 UK time.
- 5Shortlisted applicants must attend an interview.
Program timeline
Application deadline (including institutional approval)
18 November 2026, 17:00 UK time
After the deadline
Interviews for shortlisted applicants
Outcomes notified
By March 2027
By 31 March 2027
Expected start (another section says by April 2027), subject to clearance