British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme 2026: Up to £120,000 Funding Available

The British Academy is inviting applications for its 2026 Innovation Fellowships Scheme. This program offers funding and support to researchers in humanities and social sciences to collaborate with non-academic organizations. The goal is to address societal challenges through innovative approaches and solutions. This opportunity is for early-career and mid-career researchers based in the UK.

Application Closing Date: November 18, 2026
Location: United Kingdom
Programme Duration: 12 months
Stipend: Up to £120,000 (Full Economic Costing at 80 per cent)
Minimum Qualification: Not specified (for researchers with a current long-term appointment)
Opportunity Type: Fellowship

About the British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme

The Innovation Fellowships Scheme aims to strengthen the links between academic researchers and organizations outside of academia. It supports the mobilization and translation of knowledge, fostering individual skills development for researchers. This program is designed to help researchers in the humanities and social sciences (SHAPE) community create deeper connections with the creative, cultural, public, private, and policy sectors.

This call is specifically for Route B, which is policy-led. The British Academy is working with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Cabinet Office. Applicants are expected to address challenges that can benefit from expertise in humanities or social sciences.

The scheme has two routes: Route A (Researcher-led) and Route B (Policy-led). This particular application window is for Route B, focusing on policy-driven research collaborations.

About the British Academy

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. It champions research and scholarship in these fields. The Academy supports researchers and promotes public understanding of the importance of humanities and social sciences for society.

The Academy provides funding, fellowships, and awards to researchers. It also publishes reports and hosts events to share research and engage in public debate.

Available Fellowship Opportunities

The British Academy and the FCDO are looking for applications in specific areas of interest for this round of the Innovation Fellowships. These areas are designed to address current policy challenges and promote impactful research.

The areas of interest include:

• Applied History
• Critical Infrastructure and European Warfare
• South Asia Geopolitics and Regional Security
• The UK-France Relationship in 2027 and Beyond
• UK National Security Strategy

What the Fellowship Offers

Successful applicants will receive significant financial support and professional development opportunities. The fellowship is designed to enable impactful research and collaboration.

The fellowship offers:

• Funding of up to £120,000 for a 12-month project.
• Support for researchers to build new and deeper links beyond academia.
• Opportunities for knowledge mobilization and translation.
• Individual skills development for researchers.
• Collaboration with organizations in the creative, cultural, public, private, and policy sectors.

Programme Duration and Location

The fellowship program has a fixed duration of 12 months. This period allows for focused research and collaboration on the chosen policy challenge.

The fellowship is open to researchers ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. They must have a current long-term appointment at a UK-based institution, such as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or Independent Research Organisation (IRO).

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for the British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme, applicants must meet specific criteria. These requirements ensure that the program supports established researchers who can effectively partner with policy organizations.

Key eligibility criteria include:

• Must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.
• Must have a current long-term appointment that will continue for at least the duration of the award at a UK-based HEI or IRO.
• Must be an early-career or mid-career researcher.
• Applications from independent researchers are not accepted for this round.
• Cannot hold more than one comparable British Academy award at the same time.
• Must be intending to pursue challenges that can benefit from Humanities or Social Sciences expertise.
• Postgraduate students are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must not be currently working towards a PhD, awaiting viva voce examination outcomes, or awaiting acceptance of corrections required by examiners.

Competencies Required

While specific competencies are not explicitly listed, the nature of the fellowship implies a need for certain skills and qualities. These are essential for successful collaboration and research impact.

Applicants should ideally possess:

• Strong research skills in humanities or social sciences.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with non-academic partners.
• Excellent communication and knowledge translation skills.
• The capacity to develop innovative approaches to complex challenges.
• A clear understanding of the chosen area of interest.
• The ability to manage a research project within a 12-month timeframe.

Who Should Apply?

This fellowship is ideal for early-career and mid-career researchers based in the UK who are looking to apply their humanities or social science expertise to real-world policy challenges. It is suited for individuals who want to move beyond traditional academic research and engage directly with government bodies and other policy-focused organizations.

If you are a researcher with a proven track record and a desire to make a tangible impact on areas like national security, international relations, or critical infrastructure, this fellowship could be a significant opportunity for your career.

Required Documents

Applicants will need to prepare several documents for their application. These documents help the British Academy assess the applicant’s suitability and the potential impact of their research proposal.

Commonly required documents include:

• A detailed research proposal outlining the project’s aims, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) detailing academic and professional experience.
• Evidence of a current long-term appointment at a UK institution.
• Supporting statements from collaborators or partner organizations.
• Any other documents specified in the official application guidelines.

Applicants should refer to the official British Academy website for a complete list of required documents and specific formatting instructions.

How to Apply

Applications for the British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme are submitted online. It is important to read all instructions carefully before starting the application process.

Click here to apply for the British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme.

Ensure that all personal details are entered correctly and that all required documents are uploaded. Institutional approval from your UK-based institution is also required before the deadline.

Important Notes

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Late applications will not be considered.
• Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria.
• Incomplete applications may be disqualified.
• Ensure all documents are properly certified if required.
• Applicants should apply well before the closing date to allow for institutional review.

Closing Date

The closing date for the British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme 2026 is November 18, 2026, at 17:00 GMT.

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