Bourse Innovation British Academy 2026 : £120k pour Chercheu – 21 octobre 2026

Contexte

Are you an early-career or mid-career researcher looking to take your expertise beyond academia and influence real-world government policy?

The British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme 2026 – Route B: Policy-Led (FCDO) is now open for applications, offering an exciting opportunity to work directly with policymakers and contribute to important national and international policy challenges. With awards of up to £120,000 for a 12-month fellowship, this programme provides an opportunity for eligible researchers in the humanities and social sciences to strengthen connections between academic research and government decision-making.

Delivered by the British Academy in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Cabinet Office, the fellowship is designed to bring research expertise closer to policymakers working on complex issues, including regional security, international relations, national security, and applied history.

If you are an experienced researcher interested in translating academic knowledge into practical policy solutions, this could be an opportunity to advance your career while making a meaningful contribution to government policy.

Application deadline: 18 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT.

What Is the British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme?

The British Academy is the United Kingdom’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. Through its Innovation Fellowships Scheme, the Academy supports researchers in developing partnerships with organisations across the creative, cultural, public, private, and policy sectors.

The 2026 scheme includes two routes: Researcher-led and Policy-led. This announcement concerns Route B: Policy-Led (FCDO), which focuses on collaboration with policymakers at the FCDO and Cabinet Office.

The fellowship aims to enable researchers to engage closely with government departments, contribute to live policy challenges, and help ensure that high-quality research informs important decisions.

Unlike a traditional academic research grant, this opportunity emphasises direct engagement with policymakers, knowledge mobilisation, research translation, and the practical application of expertise.

Missions et responsabilités

• Engage closely with government departments at the FCDO and Cabinet Office.
• Contribute to live policy challenges and ensure high-quality research informs important decisions.
• Translate academic knowledge into practical policy solutions.
• Participate in knowledge mobilisation and research translation activities.
• Collaborate on complex issues including regional security, international relations, national security, and applied history.
• Contribute research and analysis to one of the five priority research areas (Applied History, Critical Infrastructure and European Warfare, South Asia Geopolitics and Regional Security, The UK-France Relationship in 2027 and Beyond, UK National Security Strategy).

Profil recherché

• Established early-career and mid-career researchers.
• Researchers in the humanities and social sciences.
• Specialists in history and applied historical research.
• Experts in international relations and geopolitical analysis.
• Professionals in political science and public policy.
• Scholars in security studies and strategic affairs.
• Specialists in regional studies and international development.
• Researchers in social sciences relevant to government decision-making.
• International applicants must verify nationality, residency, institutional affiliation, security clearance, and other eligibility conditions in the official guidance.

Conditions et avantages

• Awards of up to £120,000 for a 12-month fellowship (funding calculated at 80% of Full Economic Costing).
• Duration of 12 months, with awards expected to commence no later than 31 March 2027 (subject to security checks and award agreement).
• Direct access to policymakers at the heart of government.
• Professional development and networking opportunities, expanding career opportunities across public, private, creative, cultural, and policy sectors.
• Development of valuable skills in research translation, knowledge mobilisation, policy engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dossier de candidature

• Online application submitted through the British Academy’s Grant Management System, Flexi-Grant®.
• Evidence of relevant research experience and proposed contribution.
• Demonstration of policy relevance and how expertise helps address identified challenges.
• Compliance with guidance on costs and institutional support.
• Required institutional approvals secured before the deadline.
• Successful completion of relevant security checks and signing of the award agreement.

Comment postuler

Follow these steps to prepare your application:

1. Step 1: Visit the official funding page. Go to the British Academy website and open the Innovation Fellowships Scheme 2026 – Route B: Policy-Led (FCDO) announcement.
2. Step 2: Read the scheme guidance. Review the eligibility criteria, funding arrangements, application requirements, and expectations for the fellowship.
3. Step 3: Identify a relevant policy theme. Choose the area that most closely matches your research expertise and the policy challenges outlined in the call.
4. Step 4: Develop your application. Explain your relevant research experience, proposed contribution, policy relevance, and how your expertise can help address the identified challenge. Follow the guidance on costs and institutional support.
5. Step 5: Submit through Flexi-Grant®. Complete the online application and ensure that all required institutional approvals are secured before the deadline.

Procedure / Address / Link : Applications must be submitted online through the British Academy’s Grant Management System, Flexi-Grant®. Find out more on the official British Academy website.

Date limite : 18 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT (Applications and UK institutional approvals must be completed by this date).

Reference : British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme 2026 – Route B: Policy-Led (FCDO)