The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) at the University of Oxford has officially opened applications for expressions of interest for the prestigious British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026–27. This highly competitive fellowship provides an exceptional opportunity for outstanding early-career researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences to advance their academic careers within one of the world’s leading universities.
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme is designed to support promising scholars who have recently completed their doctoral studies or are nearing completion. Through this three-year fellowship, successful candidates will gain valuable experience in both research and teaching while developing a strong academic profile that can significantly enhance their prospects for securing permanent academic positions in the future.
About the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship is one of the United Kingdom’s most respected funding schemes for early-career researchers. It aims to provide outstanding scholars with the time, resources, and institutional support necessary to pursue innovative research projects while gaining valuable university-level teaching experience.
Hosted through the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford, the fellowship offers scholars the opportunity to work within a world-renowned academic environment known for excellence in research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The fellowship specifically supports scholars working within:
- Humanities disciplines
- Social Science disciplines
- Interdisciplinary research projects that align with the British Academy’s objectives
- Research related to Asian, Middle Eastern, and associated studies where appropriate
Why Apply for the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The fellowship offers a unique platform for early-career researchers to establish themselves within academia and build a strong foundation for long-term success.
Key benefits include:
1. Three Years of Dedicated Research Support
Successful fellows receive the opportunity to focus extensively on their research agenda over a three-year period, allowing them to develop substantial scholarly outputs and advance their academic expertise.
2. Teaching Experience in a World-Class Institution
The fellowship enables scholars to gain practical teaching experience within a university environment, helping them develop essential academic skills that are highly valued for future faculty positions.
3. Enhanced Career Development
The scheme is specifically designed to strengthen participants’ research and teaching portfolios, improving their competitiveness for permanent academic appointments at leading universities worldwide.
4. Access to Oxford’s Academic Community
Fellows become part of one of the world’s most prestigious academic communities, benefiting from:
- International research networks
- Academic seminars and conferences
- Interdisciplinary collaborations
- Access to exceptional libraries and research resources
- Mentorship from leading scholars in their field
5. Professional Mentorship
Applicants are required to identify a mentor within the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. This mentorship relationship provides valuable academic guidance, professional support, and opportunities for scholarly development throughout the fellowship process.
Expression of Interest Process at Oxford
The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies has established an internal selection process for candidates wishing to apply through Oxford.
Interested scholars must first submit an expression of interest to the Faculty before proceeding to the British Academy application stage.
Required Application Materials
Applicants should prepare and submit:
- A completed application form.
- Details of their proposed research project.
- Supporting information demonstrating academic excellence and suitability for the fellowship.
- Any additional materials requested by the Faculty.
Mentor Requirement
An important component of the application process is securing a prospective mentor within the Faculty.
Applicants must:
- Identify a suitable mentor within the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.
- Obtain the mentor’s agreement to support the application.
- Ensure the mentor submits an email confirming their willingness to serve in this role.
- Have the mentor provide a brief assessment of the proposed application.
It is important to note that while applicants must secure mentor agreement before the deadline, mentors are not expected to contribute directly to the preparation of applications at this initial stage.
Additional Circumstances Statement
The Faculty recognizes that personal or professional circumstances may affect an individual’s research trajectory.
Applicants may submit a separate statement outlining circumstances that may have impacted their research record, including but not limited to:
- Illness
- Parental leave
- Caring responsibilities
- Other significant personal circumstances
Providing such information allows the Faculty to consider research achievements within the appropriate context.
Selection and Next Steps
Applications received by the Faculty will undergo internal review.
Candidates selected for institutional support will be contacted by the University’s Research Facilitation team and provided with further information regarding:
- Application procedures
- Submission requirements
- Fellowship timelines
- British Academy application system access
- Additional documentation requirements
Only candidates selected through Oxford’s internal process will proceed to the next stage of the fellowship competition.
Important Deadline
Expression of Interest Submission Deadline
Date: Wednesday, 1 July 2026
Time: 17:00 (5:00 PM)
Applicants must ensure that:
- Their application form is submitted by the deadline.
- Their mentor’s supporting email is submitted by the same deadline.
- All required materials are received on time.
Late applications may not be supported or processed by the Faculty.
How to Apply
Candidates interested in applying through the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford should submit their application form via email to: amy.richardson@humanities.ox.ac.uk
Applicants should also arrange for their prospective mentor to submit the required confirmation and assessment to the same email address before the deadline.
Final Thoughts
The British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026–27 represent an outstanding opportunity for emerging scholars to accelerate their academic careers through a prestigious three-year fellowship at the University of Oxford. By combining advanced research opportunities, teaching experience, professional mentorship, and access to a globally recognized academic environment, the fellowship provides an ideal pathway for talented researchers seeking to establish themselves as future leaders in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Eligible candidates are encouraged to begin discussions with potential mentors as early as possible and prepare their application materials well ahead of the deadline to maximize their chances of success.
For more information, visit the official website.
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