New funding for outstanding overseas academics to develop links with the UK

The British Academy will receive new funding to enable up to 60 world-leading researchers in the humanities and social sciences to work with UK colleagues.

The news was announced by Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson in a speech in Delhi today.

Funded by the Government’s new Rutherford Fund, British Academy Visiting Fellowships will be open to outstanding academics at all career stages from any country in the world.

Overseas researchers will spend six months at a UK institution of their choice, working to develop new collaborations and strengthen existing partnerships with colleagues across the globe.

Welcoming the announcement, President of the British Academy, Professor Sir David Cannadine said:

“The UK’s research and innovation base is a national success story. But excellent research, whether in the humanities and social sciences or other disciplines, depends on academics being able to share ideas and learn from the very best across the globe. It is vital that the UK remains an attractive and welcoming place for academics from around the world, so today’s announcement of funding for Visiting Fellowships is most welcome.

“We look forward to welcoming our new Visiting Fellows to the UK as part of our ongoing commitment to international collaboration.”