School of Social and Political Science

British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

Application Process and Deadlines

The deadline for submissions to the SSPS review and selection process for the 2024/25 round of the BA Post-doctoral Fellowship has now closed but candidates who are selected to proceed with an application to BA should use the dates below as a guide to the onward application process.

The British Academy (BA) follows a two-stage application process for its Postdoctoral Research Fellowship scheme involving both an outline and second stage. The 2024/25 round will open on the BA's website on 3rd July 2024, with deadline dates and further information. However, applicants should be aware that this Fellowship opportunity involves a separate School review and selection process that begins before the BA deadline date (2nd October 2024). The details of this process are given below.

NB: To be eligible applicants are expected to be at an early stage of their career. This is defined as being within 3 years from the date of your successful Viva Voce examination. Exemption from this criterion may be granted for reasons occurring after the date of the viva voce examination such as: maternity leave, illness, family commitments.

SSPS Key Stages and estimated Dates for an Outline Application:  2024/25 round

1. Mentor Identification

Applicants should be aware that BA and the School of Social and Political Science (SSPS) requires a mentor to be appointed for all postdoctoral fellowships. This needs to be a core member of SSPS staff. Applicants have the responsibility of first identifying, contacting and securing an agreed mentor for a proposed project application. We strongly encourage all applicants to contact and secure the agreement of a prospective mentor in SSPS as soon as possible, and work closely with them in developing their application.

2. Notification of Expression of Interest to School

Once you have a mentor in place, you should let the SSPS Research Office know of your intention to apply by email to ssps.research@ed.ac.uk.

3. Submission to School Panel Process

In order to ensure proposals are as strong as possible, the School conducts a review of draft proposals. The School deadline for consideration for the 2024/25 round will be Wednesday 7th August 2024.

If you wish to apply for this scheme then you must send an abbreviated CV (2 page max), a 1-2-page project proposal, including bibliography (Arial or Calibri minimum font 11, 2 cm margins for both ) and a brief mentor support statement to ssps.research@ed.ac.uk by Wednesday 7th August 2024.

The project must also have SSPS Head of Subject Area approval at this stage - your mentor can help to obtain this before submitting your application for consideration by the School Panel.

4. Development and Submission of Outline Application to BA

The SSPS review and selection panel will decide whether the School will support applications and provide feedback to successful candidates in order to strengthen their proposals. The panel will typically provide feed back to potential applicants by the end of August/early September, allowing them sufficient time to proceed to the BA application stage. Applicants will receive Research Office support to develop and submit their proposals for BA's deadline on 2nd October. 

Estimated Scheme Timetable for 2024/25

First Stage application to BA: 2024

  • 3rd July 2024: Scheme opens on BA website.
  • 7th August 2024: SSPS panel deadline: (abbreviated 2 page CV, 1-2 page project summary, including bibliography, and mentor statement).
  • Late August 2024: comments back from panel and candidates told if they have been successful and can proceed with application to BA.
  • Week commencing 16th Sept 2024: final draft of BA Outline stage application from selected candidates to SSPS Research Office (PDF of BA FlexiGrant application).
  • 2nd October 2024: BA Outline Stage application submission deadline for applicants, referees and institutional approval.

Second Stage: 2025

  • January 2025: successful outline stage applicants invited by BA to submit 2nd stage application.
  • February 2025: BA deadline (TBA) for 2nd stage applications.
  • June 2025: BA contacts applicants concerning outcome of their second stage application.

Guidance for Applicants on BA Requirements

The outline application includes information on past academic experience, publications and the research proposal, but does not include financial information. Institutional approval is needed. You will need to register with the British Academy Flexi-Grant system to complete the Outline Stage application.

A budget is not needed at outline stage, as the application contains no financial information but we do ask candidates to liaise with the SPS Research office to work out a draft budget. An ethical review and School approval are still required at this stage. Please note the mentor should complete an ethical review in collaboration with the applicant at least 2 weeks before the October funder deadline.

Candidates who successfully pass the initial selection stage will be invited to submit full proposal via the online submission system Flexi-Grant. This includes the financial information, as well as a sample of academic work (article, chapter of PhD thesis, etc). The School Research Office will help you with your budget. The applicant can also then update information on publications, research experience, contact details etc.

Further information on the scheme and applicant eligibility is available from the British Academy Website.

Please inform the School Research Office as soon as you hear back from British Academy that you have been invited to the full stage so that you can receive the necessary support.