About the opportunity
The British Academy’s International Writing Workshops program aims to cultivate professional networks, mentorship, and skills development for early career researchers (ECRs) in developing countries. The program provides ECRs with access to the academic requirements of international journals, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to publish in high-impact journals within the humanities and social sciences. Funded by the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), these workshops must take place in Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Ghana, Philippines, Vietnam, and/or Least Developed Countries. The scheme aims to make a career intervention, instilling long-term academic culture changes and engaging with the wider research ecosystem.
Funding and benefits
- Grants of up to £30,000 to cover direct workshop delivery costs.
- Funding can cover travel and related expenses, subsistence costs, clerical assistance, consumables, childcare support (including for participants), networking, and meeting or conference costs.
- Financial support for the contribution of non-UK based Co-Applicants directly involved in organizing the workshop in-country.
- An award duration of two years to allow for significant follow-on and follow-up activities.
Who can apply?
- The Lead Applicant must be of postdoctoral status or above, or have equivalent research experience.
- The Lead Applicant must hold an established role in an eligible university or research institute in the UK, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Ghana, Philippines, Vietnam, or a Least Developed Country.
- The project must include a bilateral partnership: if the Principal Investigator is UK-based, at least one researcher must be based in one of the eligible developing countries; if the Principal Investigator is based in an eligible developing country, at least one researcher must be based in the UK.
- All proposals must be Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible, demonstrating a primary objective directly relevant to the problems of developing countries.
- Workshops must physically take place in Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Ghana, Philippines, Vietnam, or a Least Developed Country.
Required documents
- Completed online application form submitted via the British Academy's Flexi-Grant system.
- Supporting documents and details as specified in the official scheme notes.
When to apply
- Applications open: September 25, 2026
- Application deadline: December 2, 2026, at 17:00 GMT (UK time)
How to apply
- Read the official scheme notes carefully to ensure compliance with all eligibility and application requirements.
- Log in or register on the British Academy's online Flexi-Grant® Grant Management System (GMS).
- Complete the application form online, ensuring all required sections and partner details are filled out.
- Submit the completed application through the Flexi-Grant system before the deadline on December 2, 2026, at 17:00 UK time.
Additional information
- The scheme is funded by the UK Government's International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF).
- The call aligns with the Guidance for designing, framing, and running a research funding call with equitable partnership considerations.
- For inquiries, applicants can contact the British Academy at international@thebritishacademy.ac.uk.
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…
- You are an established researcher in the UK or an eligible developing country with a strong track record in the humanities or social sciences.
- You are passionate about mentoring early career researchers and helping them navigate the international academic publishing landscape.
- You have an established or developing bilateral partnership with researchers in the UK or the specified target countries.
What should you think carefully about?
- The workshops must physically take place in one of the specified developing countries, requiring robust logistical and administrative planning.
- The maximum funding is capped at £30,000, which must cover all workshop delivery, travel, subsistence, and follow-up activities over two years.
- Strict adherence to Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligibility is required, meaning the project must directly address challenges in developing countries.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity is an excellent fit for established academics looking to expand their international research networks and build capacity in developing nations. It allows researchers to make a meaningful career intervention by mentoring early career scholars, fostering equitable bilateral partnerships, and contributing to the global dissemination of humanities and social sciences research.
Our take
Seriously consider applying if you are an established scholar in the UK or an eligible developing country committed to equitable research collaboration and academic mentorship. It is less suitable for projects that do not focus on ODA-eligible development challenges or those requiring large-scale research funding beyond workshop organization.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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