The British Academy Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream 2027 is offering Early Career Researchers an opportunity to strengthen their leadership capabilities through an intensive programme combining professional training, mentoring, coaching and networking.
Designed specifically for researchers working in SHAPE disciplines – Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy – the programme aims to prepare participants for leadership responsibilities within academia and beyond. The selective programme admits just 62 Early Career Researchers and Wellcome-funded researchers each year, making it a competitive opportunity for researchers seeking structured leadership development.
The programme is delivered annually, with applications opening in September and the programme running from March to June.
The British Academy Elevate Programme is a CPD-accredited leadership development programme created to help Early Career Researchers develop the practical skills and confidence required to take on leadership roles.
Through a combination of interactive workshops, specialised training, mentoring, coaching and peer networking, participants are exposed to different approaches to leadership and professional development.
The programme is particularly relevant to ECRs who are preparing to move into leadership positions or are already beginning to take on responsibilities involving projects, teams, research management, policy engagement or organisational leadership.
Participants can use the skills developed through the programme to strengthen their professional profiles and demonstrate their leadership capabilities to employers, funders and other organisations.
What Participants Will Gain
The Elevate Programme focuses on practical leadership skills that can be applied directly to participants’ research and professional environments.
Participants will have opportunities to:
- Develop leadership skills for managing projects and teams.
- Improve communication and strategic planning abilities.
- Strengthen research management skills.
- Build confidence when navigating professional challenges.
- Learn techniques for fostering collaboration.
- Develop approaches for influencing decision-making.
- Apply leadership strategies to their existing professional work.
- Strengthen their ability to drive positive change.
- Build networks with fellow Early Career Researchers.
- Enhance their professional experience and CV.
The programme also recognises that leadership careers can take different forms. Participants may apply their learning within academia, policy, organisational leadership, research management, mentoring or other professional environments.
Training, Mentoring, Coaching and Networking
The British Academy Elevate Programme combines several forms of professional development rather than relying solely on classroom-based training.
Participants will take part in online and in-person workshops, specialised training sessions, mentoring, coaching and networking activities.
For participants based in the UK, the programme includes approximately 10 in-person training sessions. These sessions last between one and two days and take place at different locations across the UK. UK-based participants should therefore be prepared to travel to attend the sessions.
For researchers based outside the UK, online delivery is available, allowing international participants to engage with the programme without travelling to the UK for the training sessions.
This blended approach provides participants with opportunities to learn from experienced professionals while also developing relationships with peers facing similar career and leadership challenges.
CPD Accreditation and Professional Recognition
One of the notable features of the British Academy Elevate Programme is its CPD accreditation.
The accreditation provides professional recognition of the leadership development undertaken through the programme and can help participants demonstrate their newly developed skills and experience to prospective employers and funders.
Participants will also receive a getTWOit Skills Passport for every training session completed. The Skills Passport documents the skills acquired through the programme and provides a structured record that can be used to demonstrate professional development.
Participants will receive an additional Skills Passport after organising an event or activity for the Early Career Researcher Network, providing further evidence of their ability to develop skills and share knowledge with other researchers.
Post-Programme Responsibilities
The opportunity extends beyond the formal training period.
Within nine months of completing the programme, participants are expected to organise an event or activity for the Early Career Researcher Network. The British Academy provides funding support for this activity.
Participants are also expected to contribute to peer-to-peer mentoring for the next cohort as part of the post-programme requirements.
These responsibilities are designed to encourage participants to transfer their newly acquired leadership knowledge to other researchers and contribute actively to the wider Early Career Researcher community.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The programme is designed for Early Career Researchers in SHAPE disciplines, with the training adaptable to researchers at early, mid and later stages of their early-career development.
It is particularly suited to researchers who are preparing for or beginning to take on leadership responsibilities and want to improve their ability to manage projects, work with teams, communicate effectively and influence decision-making.
Researchers interested in developing careers beyond traditional academic pathways may also find the programme valuable because its leadership skills can be applied across academia, policy, research organisations and other professional settings.
The annual cohort is highly selective, with only 62 participants accepted from the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network and Wellcome-funded researchers.
Application Deadline
Applications open in September is open until October 28, 2026, for its upcoming 2027 cohort.
The British Academy publishes the application requirements and relevant deadline through its official Elevate Programme application information. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility criteria and application instructions before submitting their applications.
How to Apply for the British Academy Elevate Programme
Interested Early Career Researchers should visit the British Academy Elevate Programme – Leadership Stream: How to Apply page for the latest application instructions, eligibility information and submission requirements.
Applicants should ensure that they provide all requested information and submit their application within the stated application period.
The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences, supporting research, policy engagement and professional development across these disciplines.
