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A number of schemes are available across the arts, humanities and social sciences, as detailed below. If you would like to discuss any further, please get in touch on fellowships@reading.ac.uk.

 

ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship

The  enables those in the immediate postdoctoral stage of their career to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, networks, and research and professional skills in the field of social sciences. Open to applicants who have completed their PhD at a research organisation that is part of a UK DTP and who are within 12 months of passing their viva voce (career breaks considered). DTPs will have their own procedures in place to peer review the proposals and make funding decisions on behalf of ESRC.

Duration: 1 year.

Maximum funding: Award covers salary and up to £10,000 of research expenses such as travel, accommodation and mentor costs.

Internal process for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø applicants:

Applicants wishing to hold an ESRC postdoctoral fellowship at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø need to apply through the , of which ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is part. This scheme is currently closed for the 2025 round. Dates for the Expressions of Interest for 2026 will be announced closer to the time.

All prospective candidates are required to submit a short Expression of Interest form and 2 page CV. Following eligibility checks, two candidates will be invited to submit full proposals by  March 2026. Proposals are considered by a panel of academics which then selects candidates for an interview. Successful candidates are expected to start fellowships in October 2026 .

If you are interested in applying please contact Sally Caldwell (s.j.caldwell@reading.ac.uk) to get a copy of the EOI form.

 

British Academy (BA)

This scheme supports research within the Humanities or Social Sciences, and the primary emphasis is on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research. Applicants must be at an early stage of their research career with no more than 3 years' experience from their PhD viva. They must be an EU or British citizen or hold a doctorate from a UK university and must not have held a permanent post in a university.

The competition is in two stages - the outline stage is open to anyone satisfying the eligibility criteria and  closes in October; the second stage is by invitation only with a February deadline.

Eligibility requirements

The applicant must be a researcher from the humanities and social sciences and be based at an eligible university or research organisation. Suitable institutions include any UK university or recognised research organisation based in the UK. British citizens and any nationals from the EEA are eligible, regardless of where their doctorate was obtained. Anyone of any nationality who has a doctorate from a UK university is eligible. If an applicant does not meet the prior categories, they may be accepted if they can demonstrate ‘strong prior association’ with the UK academic community. Applicants must be of Early Career Status, meaning they must apply within three years from the date of their successful viva voce examination. For this round of competition, applicants are expected to have completed their viva voce between 01/04/2023 and 01/04/2026.

Duration: 3 years.

Maximum funding limit:: Salary and a maximum of £6,000 for research expenses.

Application Deadline:  expected deadline mid October 2025

Internal process for applicants:

There is no institutional limit on how many British Academy Post Doctoral Fellowships can be submitted, however, individual Schools may limit the number of applications that they will support because of the associated academic time commitment required for review and mentorship. Please contact fellowships@reading.ac.uk to express your interest and be advised of internal processes. Research Services arrange an information session with candidates to cover all aspects of the submission process.

 

 

This scheme 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. Open to applicants who have a PhD, or will have a PhD when the funding starts and up to 7 years of post-doctoral experience.  Applicants must be working outside of the UK and not hold UK citizenship.  They must also have a clearly defined and mutually beneficial research proposal agreed with the UK host academic.

Duration 2 years 

Maximum funding: 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

Application Deadline: 18th March 2025

 

These awards are intended primarily to provide opportunities for researchers who have already made an outstanding contribution to their field and have achieved distinction as an excellent communicator and "champion" in their field, and who would usually be within no more than 15 years of the award of their doctorate. In considering eligibility, the Academy will make due allowance for applicants who have had career breaks; and for established researchers who do not have doctorates, who should be within 15 years of their first academic appointment.  These Fellowships are awards to individuals employed at UK universities, other UK institutions of higher education or Independent Research Organisations.  The awards support outstanding individual researchers and outstanding communicators who will promote public engagement and understanding of the humanities and social sciences. Awards will be judged both on the quality of the research proposed and on the capacity of the applicant to communicate with a broad audience. 

Duration: