The British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants scheme remains one of the most competitive and widely recognised funding opportunities for researchers in the humanities and social sciences. Designed to support innovative, clearly defined research projects, the programme offers modest but impactful funding to scholars across the United Kingdom and beyond. Overview of the Scheme The Small Research Grants programme is among the British Academy’s most popular initiatives, both in terms of application volume and number of awards granted. Each year, it supports academics from roughly 100 UK institutions, reinforcing its reputation as a flagship funding scheme. Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects lasting up to 24 months. These funds are specifically intended to cover direct research expenses tied to a well-defined project with measurable outcomes. The scheme operates through a public-private partnership, with contributions from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Leverhulme Trust, and the Wellcome Trust. Additional support comes from several specialist funding bodies, including the British Accounting and Finance Association, Honor Frost Foundation, Journal of Moral Education Trust, Sino-British Fellowship Trust, and the Society for the Advancement of Management Studies. Importantly, all applications are assessed equally, and eligible proposals are automatically considered across all available funding streams. Key Dates and Timeline For the 2026 funding round, the application window opened on 8 April 2026, with a final deadline of 3 June 2026 at 17:00 BST. The earliest start date for successful projects is 21 September 2026. A notable policy change affects independent scholars: they must submit their applications at least five working days before the official closing date. For this round, the deadline for independent applicants is 27 May 2026. Submissions received after this date will not be considered. Eligibility Criteria The scheme is open to postdoctoral researchers or those with equivalent experience who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. While applicants must secure approval from their employing institution, there are no restrictions based on academic rank or title. Independent scholars are also eligible and must indicate their status accordingly during the application process. Collaborative applications are encouraged, and co-applicants may be based anywhere in the world. However, the lead applicant must reside in the UK. Funding Scope and Restrictions The grants are designed to support direct research costs rather than broader institutional or personal expenses. Funding cannot be used for replacement teaching, salary payments, or the purchase of computer equipment. Additionally, the scheme does not operate under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) model, meaning the awarded funds are strictly allocated to the individual researcher for project-specific expenses. Applications must request a minimum of £500, with a maximum cap of £10,000. Projects may run for any duration between one and 24 months. Each proposal should clearly demonstrate a discrete research objective and an identifiable outcome upon completion. Applicants are advised to seek initial funding from their home institution where possible before applying to this scheme. Eligible Uses of Funding The Small Research Grants programme offers flexibility in how funds can be used, provided they directly support the research project. Eligible activities include: Initial project planning and development Data collection and analysis Research-related travel Workshops, conferences, or collaborative meetings Visits between partner scholars While dissemination of research findings is permitted, proposals that focus solely on organising conferences or attending external events without a clear research objective will not be funded. The scheme is not intended to replace previous British Academy conference or travel grant programmes. Application Assessment All applications are evaluated solely on their academic merit, with no preference given to specific methodologies or research approaches. Both individual and collaborative projects are equally welcome. The Academy places strong emphasis on clarity, feasibility, and the potential impact of the proposed research. Applicants must demonstrate how the funding will enable meaningful progress within the project’s scope. Additional Support and Resources Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the official scheme and application guidance documents before submitting their proposals. A comprehensive FAQ section is also available to address common queries. For further assistance, the British Academy offers access to “Knowbot,” an AI-powered chatbot designed to provide quick answers on eligibility and application procedures. More personalised support remains available via the Academy’s Research Funding team. Final Thoughts The British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants scheme continues to play a vital role in advancing research across the humanities and social sciences. With its relatively accessible funding level and broad eligibility criteria, it provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to develop new ideas, strengthen collaborations, and produce impactful scholarship. Careful preparation, adherence to guidelines, and a clearly articulated research plan are essential for success in this highly competitive programme. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding. Visit Official Website Here