British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships

British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme 2026/27 

The Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences at the University of Bristol is pleased to invite outline applications for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme. We encourage applicants that fit with our ALSS research strategy priority areas; sociodigital transformation and AI, social justice and inequalities, and creative and cultural industries.

The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship offers outstanding early-career researchers the opportunity to strengthen their experience of research and teaching in an academic environment. This scheme aims to help develop the award-holder’s curriculum vitae and boost their prospects of obtaining a permanent academic post. The primary emphasis is on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research, and the integration of the award holder into the community of established scholars within their field. 

Suitable subjects for the Fellowship include any field of study within the Humanities or Social Sciences.  Applicants must have postdoctoral status, and have completed their Viva Voce between 1st April 2024 and 1st April 2027. A strong publication record is a key part of the assessment criteria. Visit the British Academy website for full eligibility and guidance. Scheme guidance is for last year’s scheme but is not expected to change.  

ALSS Internal Selection Process

Timeline

• Internal deadline: 18th June 2026, 4pm (11th June 2026, 4pm for School of Arts) 
• Internal outcomes: 30th June, 4pm
• Scheme opens: 1st July
• Research Development webinar: 14th July 2026, 10am – 12.30pm
• Research Development reviews: w/c 10th August 2026
• External deadline: 30th September 2026, 5pm
• Start date: Autumn 2027 

Candidates successful in the internal selection process will be invited to the information webinar. 

How to apply

Candidates should complete this MS Form to provide their name, and receive an internal outline application form. Candidates must send the three-page internal outline application form as well as a two page CV and publication list to their potential mentor.  

Mentor approval

Each candidate will work with a mentor, who will decide if this is the right time, and project for them to apply with, noting that candidates may only reapply to this scheme if they get through to the second stage. Mentors will only to approve suitable candidates, with a strong publication record.   

If the mentor gives their approval, the mentor will send the internal outline application form with mentor statement completed, two-page CV, and publication list to the School Research Director (SRD), unless the specific school uses the Research Approval Process (RAP), in which case applications should go through RAP. The deadline for this is 18th June 2026, 4pm, and 11th June 2026, 4pm for School of Arts.

School approval

Once the SRD has reviewed the outline application, they will email the mentor and Research Development rdo-rduk@bristol.ac.uk with their decision, by Tuesday 30th June 2026, 4pm. The mentor will communicate the decision with the candidate. If the SRD gives their approval, the applicant will work with their mentor, the Research Development team, and the finance team to draft their application. For the RD team to guarantee support, SRD approval must be received by this deadline. 

Next Steps

Webinar

Approved applicants will be invited to attend an information webinar on the scheme, on Tuesday 14th July 2026, 10 – 12.30pm. This webinar will be led by Research Development, and will give an overview of the scheme, and the best approach to take. There will be opportunity to ask questions.  

Research Development 

Following the webinar, candidates should complete their first draft of their application, and submit this to the Research Development team rdo-rduk@bristol.ac.uk for review week commencing Monday 10th August 2026. Second drafts will be invited for review in September.