Innovation Fellowships 2025-26 – Route B: Policy-led, Sustainable Futures

The British Academy is inviting applications for policy-led Innovation Fellowships: Route B, where applicants will work with one of their partners. This program supports researchers in the humanities and social sciences to create deeper links beyond academia, enabling knowledge mobilisation, translation, and skills development.

📝 Opportunity Details

• Date Published: June 07, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 06, 2025
• Category: Fellowship, Grants
• Opportunity Location: United Kingdom
• Eligible Locations: United Kingdom

📖 About the Fellowship

The British Academy partners for this funding call include:

• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
• Government Office for Science (GO Science)

This 12-month fellowship allows researchers to partner with a central government department and work on specific policy areas set by their chosen partner. These areas align with the British Academy’s Sustainable Futures policy programme.

Fellowship Areas:

• Landscape Recovery (Defra)
• Public Participation Strategy (DESNZ)
• Climate, Society and International (GO Science)

Note: Applicants are not required to submit a research proposal as part of the application. The work programme will be finalised with the partner after the fellowship is awarded.

💰 Benefits

• Awards are based on Full Economic Costing (FEC) at 80%.
• The British Academy will provide funding of up to £120,000.
• Applicants must commit between 0.4 and 0.8 FTE time to the fellowship.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be ordinarily resident in the UK.
• Hold a long-term appointment at a UK-based Higher Education Institution or Independent Research Organisation, continuing for at least the duration of the award.
• Be at an early- or mid-career stage.
• Meet the requirements outlined in the Scheme Guidance Notes, particularly those in the "Security Clearance and Nationality Requirements" section.

Additionally:

• All applicants must register with ORCID and provide their ID number in the application form. ORCID is a free service connecting researchers to their outputs.

🗓️ Application Process

When completing your application on the Flexi-Grant system, keep the following in mind:

1. Personal Details: Keep your profile information up to date.
2. Automatic Log-out: Save your work regularly to avoid losing progress.
3. Drafting: Write longer responses in a word processor and copy-paste them into the application form.
4. Multiple Sessions: Avoid having multiple browser tabs/windows open for the same application.
5. Word Limits: Ensure text boxes do not exceed specified word limits.
6. Plain Text: Avoid using unsupported symbols.
7. Email Accuracy: Provide accurate email addresses to avoid delays.
8. Submission: Submit your application at least five working days before the deadline to allow for institutional approval.
9. Application Deletion: Deleted applications can be recovered within seven days but will be permanently removed afterward.

Important Documents:

• Scheme Guidance Notes
• Application Guidance Notes

📅 Key Dates

• Application Deadline: August 06, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

• View Fellowship Details
• Apply Now

For FAQs, visit the FAQ Page.

This fellowship is an excellent opportunity for researchers to contribute to policy-driven sustainable futures while developing their skills and expanding their professional networks. Submit your application early to ensure a smooth process!

• Route B: Policy-led awards are on the basis of Full Economic Costing (FEC) at 80%.
• The British Academy will award up to £120,000.
• The applicant must commit between 0.4 and 0.8 FTE time to the Fellowship.