British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships
We invite researchers to submit an expression of interest for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships with Cardiff University as the host organisation.
British Academy offers three-year Fellowships for early career researchers in the humanities or social sciences, offering a major career development opportunity. There are currently up to 50 awards each year.
Please note this scheme is extremely competitive: the success rate in recent years has rarely exceed 10%. The Academy will typically receive hundreds of applications for the available awards.
British Academy postdoctoral fellowships offer opportunities for outstanding early career researchers to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment which will develop their curriculum vitae and improve their prospects of obtaining permanent lecturing posts by the end of the Fellowship.
The primary emphasis is on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research, which will be assisted by full membership of an academic community of established scholars working in similar fields.
Eligibility
Applicants must be either:
- a British citizen or EEA National
- anyone of any nationality with a UK doctorate
- able to demonstrate ‘prior association with the UK academic community’ through, for example, already having been employed in a temporary capacity (of at least twelve months) at a UK university.
Applicants must hold early-career status, defined as being within a three-year period from the award of a doctorate.
For 2026 must either have:
- completed their viva voce between 1 April 2024 and 1 April 2027
- an acceptable case for exemption from the recency of postdoctoral status (e.g. interruption to an academic career for maternity leave, family commitments, illness etc)
Applicants should not hold or have held a permanent academic post.
Previously unsuccessful applicants are only able to submit another application to this scheme if advised formally of their eligibility to do so by the British Academy.
Visit the British Academy website for further details on eligibility criteria.
Application process
Timeline
| Stage | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Information session | 9 June 2026 | 11:00 |
| Expression of interest deadline | 29 July 2026 | 17:00 |
| Call for application closes | 30 September 2026 | 17:00 |
The next call for applications is expected to close on 30 September 2026, 17:00.
An information session will be held on Tuesday 9 June 2026, 11:00 to 12:00 midday, on Teams. Please register here for this event.
You are strongly recommended to express your interest in this scheme as early as possible, and by 29 July 2026 at the latest, to comply with internal school deadlines. These are typically in August/September.
How to apply
To express interest in this scheme please e-mail risresearchdevelopment@cardiff.ac.uk with the following details:
- your full name
- your discipline
- your expected host school
We will put you in touch with your proposed host school if you are not already in contact with them.
As an applicant, you must ensure your host school has discussed your intention to apply well in advance of applying.
Please note that Cardiff University operates a robust triage and peer review process for all applications to ensure those of the highest quality are submitted to the British Academy.
Enquiries
For general enquiries, and to sign up for an applicant workshop, contact: