Applications for the Visiting Fellowships 2025 program, which offers exceptional chances for foreign scholars to work with UK universities, are currently being accepted by the British Academy. With the help of this esteemed fellowship, academics from any nation can spend up to six months working at any UK higher education or research institution of their choice, promoting global collaboration on research projects and professional growth.
When is Application Deadline:
The deadline for applications is 17:00 (GMT) on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
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Tell Me About the Award:
The British Academy’s Visiting Fellowships programme provides outstanding academics based in any country overseas with the opportunity to be based at a UK higher education or other research institution. The programme is open to academics at any career stage, and in any discipline within the humanities and social sciences.
Which Fields are Eligible?
The programme is open to academics at any career stage, and in any discipline within the humanities and social sciences.
Type:
Fellowship
Who can Apply British Academy Visiting Fellow?
Visiting Fellows must be of postdoctoral level or above, or have equivalent research experience at the time of application. Candidates should be based outside of the UK at the time of application. Applicants may be on permanent or fixed-term contracts. Fixed-term contracts must not end before the end date of the Visiting Fellowship. Independent scholars are also welcome to apply.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have been in contact with their UK host institution prior to applying. Please note that the British Academy is not able to assist with locating of facilitating contact with a UK host institution.
The British Academy welcomes applications from a diverse range of UK host institutions, and would particularly encourage applications from historically and/or structurally disadvantaged groups, low-income countries, and female researchers.
For more details about the Visiting Fellowship programme, including eligibility requirements, please see the Scheme Notes.
Which Countries are Eligible?
All nationalities
Where will Award be Taken?
How Many Awards?
Not specified
What is the Benefit of British Academy Visiting Fellowships 2025?
Visiting Fellowships illustrate the British Academy’s profound and on-going commitment to international engagement. The aim of this programme is to ensure that the UK remains an attractive, welcoming, and productive research environment for academics globally. Through this programme, the Academy aims to:
- Enhance and build new links between scholars from around the globe and in the UK;
- Foster opportunities and encourage the development of new and future partnerships for collaborative research into the humanities and social sciences
- To enable academics from across the globe to undertake research and/or professional development with UK colleagues;
- And strengthen the UK’s research bases in the humanities and the social sciences.
How Long Will the Award Last?
Visiting Fellowships are available for a period of between 3 to 6 months. Applicants will be asked to provide their preferred start date for their Fellowship over the spring and summer (March-August 2025).
The maximum amount of funding available is £40,000.
How to Apply British Academy Visiting Fellowships 2025:
Applications must be submitted online using the British Academy’s Grant Management System (GMS), Flexi-Grant®.
The deadline for applications is 17:00 (GMT) on Wednesday, 23rd October 2024.
Visit Award Webpage for Details
Visiting Fellowships 2025: frequently asked questions
What disciplines are considered with the humanities and social sciences?
Please find a list here of disciplines which we consider to fall into the humanities and social sciences.
This list is not necessarily exhaustive, and we welcome inquiries if you are unsure whether your discipline falls within the remit of the British Academy.
What sort of activities are considered support / mentorships by the host organisation?
The Academy is not prescriptive on which activities are considered mentorship / support. However, a broad principle behind assessment is that we will be looking for a relationship which adds value to the Fellow’s research and career experience.
What qualification is required for the Fellow?
We require the Fellow to hold a PhD or equivalent experience at the point of application.
Equivalent experience will vary in different contexts and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, broadly we would expect a track record of producing research that is of post-doctoral standard.
What provision is allowed for parental leave and long-term sickness?
We aim to be flexible in managing awards around parental responsibilities, childcare, long-term sickness absences and disability. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, but please contact us if you have any specific queries.
Are creative outputs such as exhibitions, films, photography etc allowed?
Outputs involving creative practice are welcome but will be considered to fall within the Academy’s remit only when they form part of an integrated project of critical or historical significance.
Must I be employed by a university to apply to this?
No, we welcome applications from independent scholars, as well as those currently employed outside of the university sector. Applicants may be on permanent or fixed-term contracts. Please note that if an applicant is on a fixed-term contract it must not end before the end date of the Visiting Fellowship.
Applicants on fixed-term contracts and independent researchers must provide evidence from their host institution that there is a commitment to hosting them for the duration of their proposed research programme.
Will I need a visa to take part in the scheme?
All non-UK nationals, except for Irish citizens, are subject to UK visas and immigration rules. Visa applications are an eligible cost.
Visiting Fellows will be required to establish individual visa requirements with the chosen host institution as part of the application process. The British Academy’s expectation is that the Visitor route should be utilised. The British Academy is not able to provide advice on specific visa applications or eligibility.
Is it possible to split the visit into two period i.e. the award would be for 3 months but take place over 6 months?
The Visiting Fellowship must be fulfilled in a single period. Short fieldwork trips abroad may be possible where appropriate. During the award Visiting Fellows may normally spend up to a total of one month’s worth of such fieldwork outside the UK (if holding a fellowship for six months).
I have a temporary role in the UK at the moment, can I still apply for this fellowship?
You may not apply for the Fellowship if you are based in the UK. However, if you have a temporary contract, such as a visiting professorship, with a UK organisation you may be able to apply for the Visiting Fellow scheme if that contract expires before the beginning of the Fellowship.
I am a UK national based at an overseas research institution, can I apply for this fellowship?
UK nationals based overseas but employed primarily by an international institution are eligible to apply for the Visiting Fellowship scheme.
Can I apply to be hosted by an institution which I already have links with? Or does this need to be a new research collaboration?
The relationship does not need to be a new collaboration. You may, for instance, apply to be hosted by an institution where you have previously worked or studied. Applications should demonstrate the host institution’s strong interest in the Fellowship, how the Visiting Fellow will be supported and/or mentored, and how the Fellowship will be mutually beneficial to both the overseas researcher and the UK host institution. You should demonstrate how a visit to a UK higher education or other research institution will be beneficial to them at the particular stage of their career.
Can the British Academy help me find a UK based collaborator?
Please note that the British Academy is unable to help applicants facilitate contact with a UK host institution.
I am at a UK host institution, can I sponsor more than one application?
We welcome UK institutions to sponsor multiple applications. However, please ensure that you will be able to provide suitable support and mentoring to every applicant.
How long can a Visiting Fellowship award last?
Visiting Fellowships can last for between 3 and 6 months. Awards must start on any date between March and August 2025. This means that awards can begin in August 2025 and continue for up to a further 6 months.
