The British Academy is inviting proposals to run International Writing Workshops for early career researchers in developing countries. The aim is to help them publish in high-impact humanities and social sciences journals, including international titles, and to build lasting links with established academics and journal editors.
Applications close at 17:00 UK time on Wednesday 2 December 2026. Awards run for two years.
What the scheme funds
Awards are worth up to £30,000, a figure set to cover the follow-on and follow-up work that a successful workshop needs, not just the event itself. Funding goes on delivering the workshops, and in previous rounds that has covered travel and subsistence, clerical help, consumables, childcare support for organisers and participants, and networking or meeting costs.
The Academy sees these workshops as a career intervention rather than a writing retreat. They should be hands-on training, skills development and mentoring that builds professional networks and research partnerships, gives advice on career development and helps research from developing countries reach a wider audience.
Where workshops can take place
Workshops must be held in Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Ghana, the Philippines, Vietnam and/or Least Developed Countries. The scheme is funded as Official Development Assistance (ODA), so every proposal has to show it meets the ODA criteria, with a primary focus on the needs of developing countries.
Who should consider applying
This is a scheme for researchers to lead, rather than to attend, so it suits established early career and mid-career academics in the humanities and social sciences with partners in one of the eligible countries. Dementia researchers working in social science, health policy, care research or global health, especially those already collaborating with colleagues in these countries, could use it to strengthen research capacity and publishing skills among their partners. Check the scheme notes for the lead applicant and co-applicant requirements for this round.
How to apply
Applications are made online through the British Academy’s Flexi-Grant system, and questions go to the Academy’s international team at international@thebritishacademy.ac.uk.
If you are thinking about what a workshop could cover, our posts on insights from an academic writing coach and academic writing for different audiences are useful starting points. Read the full scheme details and guidance on the British Academy website.
Visit funding web page
(https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/writing-workshops/)