Additional Needs

This scheme is offered on a rolling deadline. Applications can only be submitted online using the British Academy’s online Flexi-Grant Grant Management System (GMS) system.

Please note all applications must be submitted with an organisation selected – either your current employing institution (if a award-holder based at a UK university or independent research organisation) or independent researcher (available from the drop-down list of organisations in Flexi-Grant) if you are not otherwise attached to a UK institution.

N.B. Please note that application submission is a two-step process and requires your host organisation to give approval for the formal submission of application.

If you are applying for support in order to make an application to a British Academy funding call, we strongly recommend that you submit your Additional Needs Funding application at your earliest convenience, and certainly at least 2 months before the closing date of the call to which you are applying. Additional Needs Funding applications are reviewed once a month and if you require support in making an application to the British Academy then it is important that sufficient time is factored in for British Academy processes and to seek any clarifications which may be required to assist in decision making.

Please also note that if you are applying for support to make an application to a British Academy funding call, your Additional Needs Funding application may be held pending the final decision on the related grant/fellowship application or start date.

Applicants are advised to bear in mind that we will aim to review these applications monthly, and expect to get back to you within four to six weeks of submitting the application.

This scheme’s funding is available for both current British Academy award-holders and for applicants who would like to apply for a British Academy award but need support with submitting their application. Although applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a current award-holder on any British Academy scheme OR intending to apply for a British Academy award in the next six months.
• If the applicant is not a current award-holder, they must identify the scheme to which they intend to apply, and for which they need support applying. The applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for the scheme they intend to apply for.
• If the applicant is a current award-holder, the funds can only be used during the remaining time of the award.
• Duplicate applications submitted to the Additional Needs Fund for the same purpose and in relation to the same award will not be accepted. Please refer to the FAQs for further information.

British Academy award-holders and applicants may apply for funding of up to £4,000 to support additional needs that they may require. Applicants will need to justify the level of expenses requested in their application. The Academy is committed to promoting inclusivity and reviews each application on a case-by-case basis. In exceptional circumstances, the Academy will consider bids for additional needs costs above £4,000, within reason, however, this will require full justification. The funds for this programme are finite. We aim to support applicants flexibly, however, there may be occasions where there are limits to what we can support.

Funding cannot be applied retroactively, so any purchases made before application or while awaiting a decision on your application will not be eligible, even if included in your application.

Funding may be sought to cover the following elements:

Eligible Costs:

• Caring costs necessary for research trips/leave which involves bringing a family member to care for/assist with care for children. These caring costs necessary for research trips/leave would be eligible when provided by a Government-approved childcare provider (e.g. a registered childminder, nanny, playscheme, nursery, club, school, or a home care worker working for a registered home care agency). As part of the costs for research trips/leave, travel/health insurance costs can be listed up to a maximum of £500, and applicants must provide evidence that they have sought the cheapest option. Additionally, if an air fare for a child or children is purchased, applicants must upload confirmation of the airline’s fare costs.
• Specific equipment to overcome barriers to disabled people undertaking research. (Please note that such items do not become the personal property of award-holders, but must be deposited on the expiry of the award with the award-holder’s institution or other institution agreed by the British Academy.)
• Assistance to allow applicants living with sensory impairment to carry out their research.
• Assistance for applicants who require support in order to make an application(s) to a British Academy funding call(s).

Ineligible Costs:

• Childcare or other caring responsibilities costs on a day-to-day basis or on a long-term basis for British Academy award which requires relocation overseas for the duration of the award.
• Top-up research expenses for ongoing British Academy awards, i.e. supplementing extra costs for research expenses to continue work on the award(s).
• Items that we would reasonably assume would be covered by or available at your host institution, i.e. laptops or equipment to support an applicant’s medical needs when working from home.
• Costs for projects or activities outside of the British Academy’s funding schemes and awards.
• Costs relating to a PhD, Masters course, or other qualifications.Additional needs FAQs

Please refer to our FAQs page for answers to the most frequently asked questions about the scheme.