International Fellowships 2027

The International Fellowships programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. Each award is expected to involve a specific and protected research focus with the award holder undertaking high quality, original research.

This scheme is jointly run by the British Academy and the Royal Society.

The British Academy has made some changes to the scheme ahead of the 2027 round, more details of which can be found in the FAQs.

Aims

The overarching aim of the International Fellowships programme is to attract and retain emerging talent in the UK and build a globally connected, mobile research and innovation workforce. The objectives are to:

• Attract talented International early career researchers to establish and conduct their research in the UK;
• Support early career researchers to pursue high-quality and innovative lines of research;
• Provide opportunities to acquire and transfer new skills and knowledge through training and career development;
• Foster long-term relationships through networking opportunities and the International Fellowships alumni programme.

Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must:

• Have a PhD, or applicants in the final stages of their PhD will be accepted provided that the PhD will be completed (including viva) before the Final Awards Committee meets on the 1 June 2027.
• Applicants should have no more than five years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry).
• Be working outside the UK.
• Not hold UK citizenship.
• Be competent in oral and written English.
• Have a clearly defined and mutually-beneficial research proposal agreed with a UK host researcher.

Applicants should ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes.

Duration and Value of Award

The International Fellowships offer support for two years and the award is offered at 80% FEC. Applicants may apply for research expenses of up to £12,000 and relocation costs of up to £8,000. Applicants will need to justify the level of research expenses and relocation costs requested in their application.

Applicants may also be eligible to receive follow on Alumni funding following the tenure of their Fellowship to support networking activities with UK-based or international researchers.

Demand Management

The Academy has been seeing growing demand for International Fellowships awards in recent years, which has placed increasing pressure on the success rate of the scheme. Last year the Academy introduced a series of measures to help raise the success rate of the programme from the 2025 figure of 3.3%, including relating to eligibility criteria and closing the Academy’s Global Professorships.

The numbers of applications, however, continued to increase this year, therefore, as of the 2027 round of International Fellowships, institutional demand management will be put in     place. This is providing notice that each UK eligible institution will only be able to submit applications up to 50% of the expected number of awards.

In 2027, this will be a maximum of 8 applications per institution. The Academy will set out the number of expected awards for future rounds when the next call opens.

Scheme guidance

Please read our scheme guidance carefully before applying.

FAQs

For answers to frequently asked questions, please consult the FAQs document.