BA Innovation Fellowships Scheme – Route A: Researcher-led

Faculty EOI: 4 September 2023

Deadline: 11 October 2023

The British Academy will invite applications for funding for researcher-led Innovation Fellowships (Route A) to support early-career and mid-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences partnering with UK-based organisations and business in the creative and cultural, public, private and policy sectors. 

Focus
Fellowships should aim to address key societal challenges, including but not limited to:  

• developing new approaches for supporting innovation across the economy, regions, and society;
• contributing to and leading on challenges targeted at increasing links with industry and business, broadly defined;
• improving direct connection of researchers with policymakers, leaders and innovators at local and regional levels.

Fellowships are also encouraged to address the British Academy's public policy themes. 

Eligibility
Applicants must be early-career or mid-career researchers based at an institution in the UK (e.g. a Higher Education Institution [HEI] or Independent Research Organisation [IRO]), from disciplines within the Humanities and Social Sciences. Open-mindedness, innovative methods and an appetite for working collaboratively across academia, policy and practice, and in both academic and non-academic environments are key qualities the funder is looking for.

Applicants are required to obtain a statement of support from their Head of Department as part of this application. This must be received before the application can be formally submitted for approval, and it is strongly advised to ensure that the Head of Department submits the statement well in advance of the formal application deadline.

Please see the scheme guidance notes for more details.

Duration and Value
Awards are for a period of 6 to 12 months, with a maximum award value of £120,000 on an 80 per cent Full Economic Costing (FEC) basis. The Applicant must commit between 0.4 and 0.8 FTE time to the Fellowship. Awards are expected to commence between 1 February 2024 and 31 March 2024.

How to Apply
Applications can only be submitted online using the British Academy Flexi-Grant® Grant Management System (GMS). The deadline for submissions and UK host organisation approval is expected to be 11 October 2023 (17:00 GMT).