The British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships 2027-2030 are three-year research awards designed to support early-career researchers working in the humanities and social sciences. Moreover, the programme is jointly supported by the British Academy and the Wolfson Foundation and aims to help promising researchers pursue high-quality research while developing their ability to engage with the public.

The fellowship provides researchers with protected time to concentrate on their research projects by reducing some of their usual day-to-day responsibilities. It also supports activities such as public engagement, travel, and mentorship. The programme places importance on both the quality of the proposed research and the applicant’s ability to communicate research findings to audiences beyond academia.
British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships Details
For the current competition, the British Academy expects to award up to six fellowships, with a maximum award value of £140,000 over three years. The awards are intended for eligible researchers based at UK higher education institutions or independent research organisations. The official call opened on October 21, 2026, and applications close in December 2026. Successful projects are expected to start between September 2027 and January 2028.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship name | British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships |
| Funding organisations | British Academy and Wolfson Foundation |
| Host country | United Kingdom |
| Research areas | Humanities and social sciences |
| Career stage | Early-career researchers |
| Duration | Three years |
| Maximum award value | £140,000 over three years |
| Expected number of awards | Up to six |
| Application opening date | October 21, 2026 |
| Application deadline | December 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. GMT |
| Earliest start date | September 1, 2027 |
| Expected start period | September 2027-January 2028 |
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Funding of up to £140,000 over three years.
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Three years of support for an eligible research project.
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Protected time to concentrate on research activities.
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Reduced day-to-day responsibilities to enable research and public engagement.
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Funding support for public engagement activities.
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Support for research-related travel.
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Access to mentorship throughout the fellowship.
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Opportunities to strengthen research outputs and professional development.
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Opportunities to communicate research findings to wider audiences.
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Support for research in the humanities and social sciences.
British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must generally meet the following requirements:
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Be resident in the United Kingdom.
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Be within seven years of receiving their doctorate, measured from the date of the viva voce examination.
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Have completed the viva voce examination on or after December 14, 2019, for the current competition, unless an approved exemption applies.
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Hold a permanent or fixed-term position at a UK-based higher education institution or independent research organisation.
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Have a position that covers the entire three-year fellowship period.
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Demonstrate a strong record of research achievement appropriate to your career stage.
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Propose a research project of high quality and demonstrate the ability to communicate with a broad audience.
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Have a suitable mentor who can support the project and provide career advice throughout the fellowship.
How to Apply for the British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships
Kindly follow the steps below to apply;
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Visit the official British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships webpage.
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Read the scheme guidance and application guidance documents.
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Confirm that you meet the UK residency, career-stage, employment, and research requirements.
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Develop a clear research proposal that demonstrates academic quality and potential public engagement impact.
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Identify a suitable mentor who can support your research and professional development.
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Prepare the requested supporting information and budget in accordance with the scheme guidance.
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Access the official application system through the British Academy’s website.
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Complete the application form and provide all required details.
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Review your proposal and supporting documents against the official assessment criteria.
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Submit the application before the deadline of December 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. GMT.
Well, Applicants should follow the official guidance for any institutional approvals or additional submission requirements.
British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships 2027 Deadline
The application deadline for the current British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships competition is December 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. GMT. Furthermore, the scheme opened on October 21, 2026. The earliest permitted start date is September 1, 2027, and the official announcement indicates that successful fellowships are expected to begin between September 2027 and January 2028. Each award lasts three years.
British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships – Official British Academy Website
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the British Academy/Wolfson Fellowship fully funded?
The programme offers awards worth up to £140,000 over three years. However, the amount is a maximum award value for eligible costs and should not be described as an unconditional personal grant or a guarantee that every project expense will be covered.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
Eligible applicants are UK-resident early-career researchers with a qualifying position at a UK higher education institution or independent research organisation. Specific doctorate and equivalent-experience rules apply.
Which research fields are supported?
The scheme supports research in the humanities and social sciences, with a strong emphasis on research quality and public engagement.
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