Opportunities for Social Science and Humanities
Explore the fellowship schemes below and feel free to contact relevant academic staff to discuss your ideas. Use this information to get an overview of the opportunities available, but always visit the funders’ websites for the most up-to-date information and deadlines, which can vary:
Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships fund individual researchers with a PhD to undertake research with a host organisation while developing their skills, international experience and academic career. They are open across disciplines and offer two routes: European Fellowships (1–2 years in Europe) and Global Fellowships (1–2 years outside Europe followed by a mandatory 1-year return to Europe). Both may include international secondments and an optional 6-month placement in a non-academic organisation.
See: MSCA Fellowships
British Academy Postdoctoral
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships support early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences to undertake an independent research project and complete a significant piece of publishable work. The scheme aims to strengthen research and teaching experience and support progression towards a permanent academic career. Applicants must be at an early postdoctoral stage, have completed their viva within the specified eligibility period, and must not have previously held a permanent academic post.
See: The British Academy
ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Economic and Social Research Council offer grants for social science research immediately post-PHD studies to consolidate PhD research, support development of publications, strengthen research networks and/or enhance research skills. The grants are for up to 9 months full time and 18 months part time.
See: UK Research and Innovation
UKRI Future Leadership Fellowship
Long-term support to enable fellows to tackle ambitious programmes or multidisciplinary questions, and new or emerging research and innovation areas and partnerships. Fellows can be based in universities, businesses or other eligible independent research organisations. You must be an early career researcher or innovator who has a PhD or can demonstrate equivalent research or innovation experience or training. Awarded annually.
See: Future Leadership Fellowship
Daphne Jackson Fellowships
The Daphne Jackson Trust fellowships are for researchers and research technical professionals looking to return to a research career after a break of two or more years for family, health or caring reasons. The fellowships are flexible, part-time and include a personalised retraining programme in a supportive UK university or research establishment, giving fellows the confidence and skills they need to make a successful return to research careers.
See: Daphne Jackson Fellowships
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
For early career researchers, with a research record but who have not yet held a full-time permanent academic post, to undertake a significant piece of publishable work. Fellowships can be held at UK universities with research degree awarding powers. The Fellowships are intended to assist those at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, and it is hoped that the appointment would lead to a more permanent position for the individual, either within the same or another university.
British Academy Mid-Career Fellowships
The Mid-Career Fellowships are designed both to support outstanding individual researchers with excellent research proposals, and to promote public understanding and engagement with humanities and social sciences. Covering grants of 6-12 months protected time to undertake substantial research, with an emphasis on public engagement and knowledge exchange.
See: British Academy Fellowships
Global Innovation Fellowships: German Council on Foreign Relations
Global Innovation Fellowships provide opportunities to UK-based early- and mid-career researchers from across the humanities and social sciences to develop their skills, networks and careers in the creative and cultural, public, private and policy sectors to address challenges that require innovative approaches and solutions.
See: Global Innovation Fellowship
Deadlines and Next Steps
These schemes typically run annually, so exact dates may vary slightly each year. You should always check the funder’s website for the most up-to-date deadlines, eligibility criteria, and application requirements.