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.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
Successful applicants can benefit from financial support, professional development, and direct exposure to policy work.
1. Awards of Up to £120,000
The British Academy can offer awards of up to £120,000 for a 12-month fellowship. The scheme operates with funding calculated at 80% of Full Economic Costing, so applicants should consult the official guidance for details on eligible costs and institutional arrangements.
The maximum award should not be interpreted as an unrestricted personal salary or a guaranteed amount for every applicant.
2. A 12-Month Fellowship
The fellowship lasts 12 months, providing time to work closely with policymakers, develop professional relationships, and contribute to relevant policy priorities.
Awards are expected to commence no later than 31 March 2027, subject to the required security checks and completion of the award agreement.
3. Direct Access to Policymakers
Fellows will have the opportunity to interact closely with policymakers at the heart of government. This experience can help researchers understand how evidence is assessed, how policy priorities are developed, and how research can inform decisions under real-world constraints.
4. Career Development and Networking
The programme seeks to strengthen relationships between academia and government while expanding career opportunities across the public, private, creative, cultural, and policy sectors.
Participants can develop valuable skills in research translation, knowledge mobilisation, policy engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Who Can Apply?
The scheme is aimed at established early-career and mid-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences, particularly those whose expertise can contribute to the policy challenges identified in the call.
Researchers should carefully review the official scheme guidance to confirm the detailed eligibility criteria, institutional requirements, and application conditions.
The programme may be relevant to researchers working in areas such as:
- History and applied historical research.
- International relations and geopolitical analysis.
- Political science and public policy.
- Security studies and strategic affairs.
- Regional studies and international development.
- Social sciences relevant to government decision-making.
Applicants should demonstrate how their expertise can contribute to one or more of the specified policy themes and explain how their research could inform practical policy work.
Important: The published opportunity is associated with UK government departments and the British Academy. Prospective international applicants should verify nationality, residency, institutional affiliation, security clearance, and other eligibility conditions in the official guidance rather than assume that all international researchers qualify.
Five Priority Research Areas for 2026
The call invites applications in the following policy areas:
1. Applied History
Research that uses historical evidence and analysis to inform contemporary policy decisions and improve understanding of current challenges.
2. Critical Infrastructure and European Warfare
Research addressing critical infrastructure, strategic vulnerabilities, and issues arising from warfare in Europe.
3. South Asia Geopolitics and Regional Security
Research examining geopolitical developments, regional relationships, security concerns, and strategic interests in South Asia.
4. The UK-France Relationship in 2027 and Beyond
Research exploring the future of UK-France relations and their implications for policy, diplomacy, security, and cooperation.
5. UK National Security Strategy
Research that contributes evidence and analysis relevant to the UK’s national security priorities and strategic decision-making.
Applicants should connect their proposed contribution directly to one of these areas and demonstrate how their expertise could support policymakers’ needs.
Applications must be submitted online through the British Academy’s Grant Management System, Flexi-Grant®.
Follow these steps to prepare your application:
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.
Step 2: Read the scheme guidance.
Review the eligibility criteria, funding arrangements, application requirements, and expectations for the fellowship.
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.
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.
Step 5: Submit through Flexi-Grant®.
Complete the online application and ensure that all required institutional approvals are secured before the deadline.
Application Deadline and Key Dates
- Scheme opening date: 22 September 2026.
- Application deadline: 18 November 2026, at 17:00 GMT.
- Fellowship duration: 12 months.
- Latest expected commencement: 31 March 2027.
- Maximum award: £120,000, subject to the scheme’s funding arrangements.
Applicants should allow sufficient time for submission and institutional approval. The fellowship start date also depends on completion of the relevant security checks and signing of the award agreement.
Applicants should rely on the official announcement for the latest information and any updates to the application process.
Final Thoughts
The British Academy Innovation Fellowships Scheme 2026 offers a valuable opportunity for eligible early-career and mid-career researchers to connect academic expertise with government policy.
With awards of up to £120,000, a 12-month duration, and opportunities to work closely with FCDO and Cabinet Office policymakers, the fellowship could help researchers expand their professional networks, strengthen their policy engagement skills, and contribute to important national and international challenges.
If your expertise aligns with one of the five priority research areas, review the official guidance and begin preparing your application well before the deadline.
FIND OUT MORE HERE
Deadline reminder: Applications and UK institutional approvals must be completed by 18 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT.
