About the opportunity
The Global Innovation Fellowships aim to provide opportunities to UK-based early- and mid-career researchers from across the humanities and social sciences to develop their skills, networks, and careers by engaging with policy and practice sectors. This fourth call offers up to two one-year fellowships hosted at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, based in Washington DC, Singapore, or Beirut. Fellows will embed themselves within Carnegie’s programs to address global challenges, foster knowledge mobilisation, and generate policy solutions in areas such as sustainability, climate and geopolitics, global order and institutions, South and East Asia, or the Middle East and North Africa.
Funding and benefits
- Awards of up to £150,000 for a duration of 12 months (calculated at 80 percent Full Economic Costing)
- Opportunities to embed within a leading global foreign policy think tank and build international networks
- Support for knowledge mobilisation, translation, and individual skills development
Who can apply?
- Ordinarily resident in the UK with a current long-term appointment continuing for at least the award duration
- Early- or mid-career researcher based at an eligible UK institution such as a Higher Education Institution or Independent Research Organisation
- From disciplines within the humanities and social sciences
- Must not currently be working towards a PhD, nor awaiting the outcome of a viva voce examination or acceptance of corrections
- Must not hold more than one British Academy award of a comparable nature at any one time
Required documents
- Application submitted via the British Academy's Flexi-Grant system
When to apply
- Scheme opens date: 22 September 2026
- Application deadline: 18 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT
- Interviews: 8 February 2027
- Expected start date: By September 2027 (an earlier start in March or April 2027 may be possible with relocation planning)
How to apply
- Review scheme guidance notes and FAQs on the British Academy website
- Prepare application details and ensure institutional approval via Flexi-Grant
- Submit the completed application through the Flexi-Grant portal before the deadline
Additional information
- Funded by the Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
- Fellowships can be focused in four areas: Sustainability, Climate and Geopolitics; Global Order and Institutions; South and East Asia; and Middle East and North Africa
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Early- to mid-career academics in the humanities and social sciences wanting to bridge the gap between academic research and international public policy
- Researchers with specific expertise matching Carnegie's focal areas such as climate geopolitics, global institutions, or regional studies in Asia or the Middle East
- Individuals eager to build non-academic networks and gain hands-on think-tank experience in Washington DC, Singapore, or Beirut
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must hold an existing long-term appointment at a UK institution and secure institutional backing through Flexi-Grant
- Requires international relocation to the US, Singapore, or Lebanon for up to a year, which demands careful planning around personal and institutional commitments
- Funding is provided at 80 percent Full Economic Costing up to a maximum of £150,000
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship serves as an ideal bridge for researchers aiming to translate academic insights into actionable policy solutions and establish deep, lasting connections with international policy practitioners. It offers dedicated time away from standard university duties to focus on high-impact global challenges.
Our take
UK-based early- and mid-career humanities and social sciences researchers looking to expand their impact into international policy should strongly consider applying. Those unable to undertake international relocation or without a qualifying UK institutional base will find this scheme unsuitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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