International Writing Workshops Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

Which countries are eligible to host Writing Workshops? 

Workshops must take place in person in Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries. The lead applicant must hold an established role in an eligible university or research institute in the UK, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries.

Can my project focus on more than one country? 

Yes, projects may focus on multiple countries, provided the rationale and feasibility are clearly outlined in the proposal. There is no preference regarding the number of countries involved.

Can ECRs from countries that are not listed in the call text participate in my workshops?

ECRs from countries that are not listed in the call text may participate in the workshops, but applicants should bear in mind that applications will be assessed on whether the proposed activities will make a significant advance in the career development of early career researchers in Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries.

Additionally, applicants are reminded that all proposals must be ODA eligible. ODA eligibility is an essential criterion – projects will only be deemed eligible for funding if they can demonstrate that they satisfy ODA eligibility criteria in relation to the countries listed above.

What is considered an ‘established researcher’?

The lead applicant must hold an established role in an eligible university or research institute. The Lead’s position must last at least the duration of the grant funded by the Academy.

Can Co-Applicants be based outside the UK, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries?

Each project must include at least one researcher who is based in Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries if the Lead is based in the UK or one researcher based in the UK if the Lead is based in Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries.

Provided the above criteria have been met, projects can include other researchers based in the UK or internationally.

Can the British Academy connect me with a UK-based PI or Co-Applicant? 

No, the British Academy is unable to assist in connecting applicants with UK-PIs or Co-Applicants.

What qualifies as an Early Career Researcher (ECR)?

The Academy appreciates that the definition of an ECR can vary across different contexts and we invite applicants to contact the Academy via the [email protected] email address if you have any queries about this.

How do I register my institution? 

Instructions for institution registration are provided on pages 3-4 of the application guidance. If you have any queries, please contact a member of our team at [email protected]

Are Full Economic Costs (FEC) applicable to this call? 

No, FEC does not apply to this funding call.

Funding must be used in the direct delivery of the workshops.

Eligible costs include:

• Networking, meeting and/ or conference costs
• Travel and related expenses whether by the PI, Co-Is or other participants, as well as the cost of travel for participants of the workshop(s)
• Subsistence costs
• Clerical assistance
• Consumables
• Childcare support (including for participants)
• The contribution of non-UK based Co-Applicants who are directly involved in helping to organise the workshop(s) in country

Are examples of successful applications available? 

The British Academy cannot provide individual examples, but you can view previously funded workshops. However, criteria may have changed, so applicants should refer to the scheme guidance notes for the most current requirements.

Can my project build on an existing award (British Academy or otherwise)? 

Yes, your project may be connected to a separate award, provided there are no overlapping activities or duplicate costs. The proposal must fully meet the aims, objectives, and eligibility requirements of the International Writing Workshops scheme.

Would a proposal based in STEM be eligible?

No, the primary intended deliverable is to encourage and support early career researchers in the call’s target countries to publish in high impact journals in the fields of the humanities and social sciences, each proposal should focus on the humanities and/or social sciences to be considered eligible. While applicants may incorporate interdisciplinary elements into their application, it should be clear to the Panel how the proposal is directly relevant to the humanities and/or social sciences.

You may use the personal statement field in the application form to explain how the workshop team's expertise and the aims and objectives of your workshop meet the disciplinary requirements of the call.

Please refer to the Sections page to see what disciplines the Academy covers.

Does the lead applicant need to be based at a UK institution, as initially indicated in Page 1, Question 2 of the Flexi-Grant form?

The Lead must be of postdoctoral or above status (or have equivalent research experience). The lead applicant must hold an established role in an eligible university or research institute in the UK, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries. The application form has been updated to reflect this.

Who must provide the list of due diligence documentation and complete Section 4 (Due Diligence) of the online application form?

The due diligence section only needs to be completed if the lead applicant (Principal Investigator) is based overseas. UK-based lead applicants and any overseas co-applicants/partners do not need to complete this section of the online application form.

Are the costs of contributions by non-UK based Lead Applicants eligible for funding?

The contribution of non-UK based Lead applicants and Co-Applicants who are directly involved in helping to organise the workshop(s) in country are eligible costs. As stated above, FEC does not apply to this funding call and funding must only be used for the direct delivery of the workshops.

Contact Information 

If you have a query, we kindly ask you to view the scheme guidance notes, application guidance, and the FAQs in the first instance. However, if you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the International Team at: [email protected]