The British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants are open for their autumn 2026 round, closing at 17:00 UK time on 4 November 2026. By far the British Academy’s most popular scheme, in both applications received and awards made, it funds academics at around 100 institutions across the UK.
The awards support primary research in the humanities and social sciences. They are worth up to £10,000, are tenable for up to 24 months, and cover the expenses arising from a defined research project. For dementia researchers working in areas such as social science, history, ethics, law, economics or the arts, this is one of the most accessible routes to a first independent award.
The scheme is funded as a public-private partnership, including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Leverhulme Trust and the Wellcome Trust. It is also supported by a number of Special Funds, including the British Accounting and Finance Association, Honor Frost Foundation, Journal of Moral Education Trust, Sino-British Fellowship Trust, and Society for the Advancement of Management Studies.
All applications are considered equally on their merits, and applicants are automatically considered for public funding, Leverhulme Trust funding, or a Special Fund where applicable.
Independent scholars: earlier deadline
Independent scholars must submit at least five working days before the round closes.
The deadline for independent scholars in this round is 28 October 2026, 17:00 GMT.
Applications from independent scholars received after this date will not be processed or considered.
Eligibility
- Awards are open to postdoctoral scholars (or equivalent) who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.
- Applications require the approval of the applicant’s employing institution, but are not limited to those of any particular status (e.g. Lecturer, Professor).
- Independent scholars may apply, choosing ‘independent scholar’ from the list of organisations in Flexi-Grant.
- Co-applicants may be based anywhere in the world, but the Principal Applicant must be ordinarily resident in the UK.
Level and period of award
Grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available, tenable for between one and 24 months.
The funding cannot be used for replacement teaching, payment in lieu of salary or computer kit, and the scheme is not covered by the FEC regime. The money is available to the award-holder for direct research expenses only.
Applications should show that funds are sought for a clearly defined, discrete piece of research with an identifiable outcome on completion. The first recourse for funding should be your own institution, where applicable. Collaborative and individual projects are equally welcome, and international groups of scholars can apply provided the lead applicant is UK-based.
How can funding be used?
Funds can support initial project planning and development, the direct costs of research, and the advancement of research through workshops or conferences, or visits by or to partner scholars. Applicants may seek any combination of eligible activity and cost up to the £10,000 limit, and the Academy has no preference as to mode of enquiry.
Grants are not intended to support exchange between UK and overseas scholars without a planned programme of activity towards a clearly specified research objective. Applications purely to organise an international conference, or solely to attend conferences organised by a third party, will not be considered, although disseminating results from the funded project is a permitted purpose.
Resubmissions
Applicants are limited to one resubmission per proposal, and an unsuccessful application cannot be resubmitted in the round immediately following. There is no limit on submitting new proposals.
Guidance and FAQs
Read the scheme guidance and application guidance notes carefully before applying, and see the FAQs page for answers to common questions. Applications are made through the British Academy’s Flexi-Grant system.
Visit funding web page
(https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/schemes/ba-leverhulme-small-research-grants/)
