British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships 2027 – Funding for Early-Career Researchers in the UK

Overview

The British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships 2027 are a joint research funding initiative provided by the British Academy and the Wolfson Foundation. The programme supports exceptional early-career academics and researchers working in the humanities and social sciences. Up to six fellowships will be awarded, each lasting for a duration of three years, with successful projects commencing between 1 September 2027 and 1 January 2028. The initiative aims to develop emerging research leaders, promote intellectual innovation, and foster public engagement by granting fellows protected research time and professional support.

Who can apply

Applicants must be resident in the United Kingdom and hold a permanent or fixed-term position at a UK-based Higher Education Institution or Independent Research Organisation. Candidates need to have an employment contract that covers the full three-year fellowship period. Additionally, applicants must have completed a doctoral viva voce examination on or after 14 December 2019 and be within seven years of that examination by the application deadline. Researchers without a PhD are also eligible if they can demonstrate equivalent professional and research achievements. Exemptions from the seven-year post-doctoral limit are evaluated individually for career interruptions such as parental leave, illness, or caring responsibilities, and part-time employees are welcome to apply. Every applicant must also identify a suitable mentor to support their project and professional growth.

What you get

Successful applicants receive a maximum funding amount of up to £140,000 distributed over three years. This financial support is not calculated on a Full Economic Costing basis and provides dedicated research time to help fellows reduce routine professional duties. Additional benefits include funding for research-related travel, financial support for public engagement and knowledge-sharing activities, and professional mentorship and career guidance designed to enhance academic visibility and societal impact.

Key dates

The application deadline is 14 December 2026 at 17:00 GMT. The earliest possible start date for the awarded fellowships is 1 September 2027.