British Academy Innovation Fellowships (Route B: Policy-led) 2026-2027 in the United Kingdom

Are you an early-career or mid-career researcher in the humanities or social sciences looking to make a real-world impact through policy research? The British Academy Innovation Fellowships (Route B: Policy-led) 2026-2027 offer an outstanding opportunity to collaborate with leading UK government departments and policy organizations while receiving substantial research funding.

This fully funded fellowship supports researchers who want to apply their expertise to pressing societal and policy challenges in the United Kingdom.

British Academy Innovation Fellowships

Funded by the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) and administered by the British Academy, the fellowship enables researchers to work directly with policy partners for up to 12 months.

The programme also receives additional support from the Bridging Responsible AI Divides (BRAID) initiative for the Digital Society cohort, helping researchers develop innovative solutions that influence public policy and improve communities.

British Academy Innovation Fellowships (Route B: Policy-led) 2026-2027 Summary

What Are the British Academy Innovation Fellowships?

The British Academy Innovation Fellowships are designed to strengthen collaboration between academic researchers and non-academic organizations by supporting research that addresses major policy and societal challenges facing the UK.

The fellowship scheme consists of two routes:

• Route A: Researcher-led Fellowships (not currently open).
• Route B: Policy-led Fellowships (currently open for applications).

Under Route B, successful applicants are placed with UK government departments or partner organizations to work on high-priority policy issues. Rather than submitting a detailed research proposal during the application stage, applicants will develop the final work programme jointly with their assigned policy partner after the fellowship has been awarded.

The programme encourages knowledge exchange between academia and government while helping researchers expand their professional skills and influence evidence-based policymaking.

Is the British Academy Innovation Fellowship Fully Funded?

Yes. The British Academy Innovation Fellowships (Route B: Policy-led) for 2026–2027 are fully funded.

Successful applicants can receive up to £120,000, awarded at 80% of Full Economic Cost (FEC). The funding supports the fellow’s existing contracted research time and associated project costs during the 12-month fellowship.

It is important to note that the funding cannot be used to extend an academic contract, and applicants must already hold an eligible long-term appointment.

Fellowship Areas

Applicants will work with one of several policy partners across two major policy programmes.

Resilient Communities

Researchers may work on topics such as:

• Valuing and mapping cultural infrastructure (Department for Culture, Media, and Sport – DCMS).
• Understanding access to justice for individuals and families (Ministry of Justice – MoJ).
• Applying frameworks to value community infrastructure (Local Policy Innovation Partnerships Hub, City-REDI, University of Birmingham).
• Social and cultural infrastructure for community resilience and emergency preparedness (Government Office for Science).

The DCMS fellowship also benefits from collaboration with the Locally Unlocking Culture through Inclusive Access (LUCIA) programme.

Digital Society

Available research areas include:

• Consumer protection, innovation, and regulation in a data-driven, AI-enabled economy (Digital Regulatory Cooperation Forum – DRCF).
• Place- and People-Focused AI Upskilling for Growth and Opportunity (Department for Work and Pensions – DWP).

These projects aim to improve policymaking in areas where digital technologies and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming society.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be an early-career or mid-career researcher.
• Be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.
• Hold a current long-term academic appointment at a UK-based institution:
  • Higher Education Institution (HEI), or
  • Independent Research Organization (IRO).
• The appointment must continue throughout the fellowship period.
• Conduct research within the humanities and social sciences (SHAPE disciplines).
• Meet any additional security clearance or nationality requirements specified for the chosen fellowship area.

Independent researchers who are not employed by an eligible HEI or IRO are not eligible to apply.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful fellows receive numerous professional and financial benefits, including:

• Funding of up to £120,000.
• Support based on 80% Full Economic Costing (FEC).
• Opportunity to collaborate directly with UK government departments and policy organizations.
• Experience working on nationally significant policy challenges.
• Development of practical policy engagement and knowledge translation skills.
• Strengthened professional networks across academia and government.
• Increased opportunities for future research collaborations and career advancement.

Researchers will devote between 0.4 and 0.8 Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) of their contracted working time to the fellowship.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the required application materials, which typically include:

• Completed online application form.
• Academic curriculum vitae (CV).
• Details of current academic appointment.
• Evidence of eligibility.
• Supporting institutional information.
• Any additional documents requested within the Scheme Guidance and Scope Summaries.

Unlike many fellowship schemes, applicants do not need to submit a detailed research proposal. The research programme will instead be developed jointly with the assigned policy partner after selection.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Apply

Step 1: Review the Fellowship Scope

Read the Scheme Guidance, Scope Summaries, and Frequently Asked Questions to identify the fellowship area that best matches your expertise.

Step 2: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure that you:

• Hold an eligible academic appointment.
• Are ordinarily resident in the UK.
• Meet all fellowship-specific eligibility requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

Gather the necessary supporting documents and complete the online application through the British Academy grants system.

Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline

Submit your completed application no later than 5 August 2026 at 17:00 BST.

Step 5: Selection Process

Applications will be assessed by the British Academy and partner organizations. Successful applicants will then work with their assigned policy partner to develop the detailed fellowship programme before the award begins.

Application Timeline

Why Apply for the British Academy Innovation Fellowship?

The British Academy Innovation Fellowship offers researchers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academic research and public policymaking.

Key advantages include the following:

• Fully funded research fellowship worth up to £120,000.
• Direct collaboration with influential UK government departments.
• Opportunity to shape national policy through evidence-based research.
• Professional development in policy engagement and knowledge mobilization.
• Expanded research networks across academia, government, and industry.
• Increased visibility and career progression opportunities.

Researchers gain practical experience that extends beyond traditional academic research while contributing to solutions for real-world societal challenges.

For more information about the British Academy Innovation Fellowships (Route B: Policy-led) 2026–2027, visit the official British Academy fellowship webpage.

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