British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants 2025: Apply Now to Fund Your Research Dreams
If you are a postdoctoral scholar in the UK with a brilliant research idea? The British Academy/ Leverhulme Small Research Grants 2025 searching for such candidates to fund them. These grants offer up to £10,000 to help you bring focused, high-impact research projects to life.
Why Choose This Research Grant?
Every researcher needs time, resources, and recognition. Fortunately, this programme provides all three. It supports individual or collaborative studies in the humanities and social sciences. Moreover, the programme has gained prestige as the most popular scheme of the British Academy.
As a result, it attracts hundreds of applicants and awards scholars from nearly 100 UK institutions. These grants also enjoy backing from major partners, including Leverhulme Trust, DSIT, and the Wellcome Trust.
Key Dates to Remember
- Scheme Opens: 9 April 2025
- Deadline: 4 June 2025, by 17:00 BST
- Earliest Project Start Date: 22 September 2025
- Duration: Up to 24 months
It’s best to begin preparing your proposal as early as possible.
What Does the Grant Cover?
The funding focuses on direct research costs, not general expenses or salaries. Here’s what you can use the money for:
- Fieldwork and archival studies
- Hiring research assistants or transcribers
- Research-related travel and accommodation
- Workshops or seminars tied to your project
- Sharing your research results publicly
Although the grant is flexible, it does come with limitations. It will not cover:
- Replacement teaching or staff costs
- Payment in lieu of salary
- Standalone international conference participation
- Buying laptops or unrelated equipment
To ensure approval, applicants must align their budget with the grant’s purpose — conducting and disseminating research.
Who Is Eligible?
- Applicants must hold a postdoctoral qualification or equivalent standing
- Reside in the United Kingdom
- Be affiliated with a UK institution or apply as an independent scholar
- Be the principal applicant if applying with international collaborators
Even though co-applicants may come from anywhere globally, the lead researcher must be UK-based. The scheme welcomes both early-career and seasoned scholars equally.
Importantly, the grant is not limited by job title — you could be a Lecturer, Reader, or even an unaffiliated academic.
What Kinds of Projects Are Funded?
This programme backs projects in any field of humanities or social sciences. It promotes bold research that delivers clear academic outcomes.
Your proposal should demonstrate:
- A precise research question
- Defined goals and deliverables
- Original academic or societal impact
- A practical, well-scoped timeline
Whether your project is solo or collaborative, the review committee values clarity and purpose. Applications should cover distinct research phases and not be open-ended explorations.
Additional Funding Streams Available
While each proposal is judged fairly, your application may also benefit from several special funds attached to the programme. These include:
- Journal of Moral Education Trust
- Society for the Advancement of Management Studies
- British Accounting and Finance Association
- Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain
- EY (Ernst & Young)
- Honor Frost Foundation
- Sino-British Fellowship Trust
Applicants are automatically considered for these streams. You don’t need to select them during submission.
How Can You Use the Funds Creatively?
Unlike generic research grants, this one supports creative methods of project development. For example:
- Organising a symposium to test early ideas
- Funding exploratory trips to international archives
- Hosting collaborative sessions with peer scholars
- Producing reports, blogs, or digital tools for dissemination
However, proposals that focus only on attending international events or organising unrelated conferences won’t be accepted. Instead, try to tie such activities directly to your research’s outcomes.
Application Process Explained
Follow these steps carefully while applying:
- First Register on the British Academy Flexi-Grant portal
- Complete the online form thoroughly
- Submit a detailed research plan and realistic budget
- Secure your institution’s approval (if affiliated)
- Finalise and submit by 4 June 2025, 17:00 BST
Because applications often involve departmental sign-off, avoid leaving submission to the last moment.
Selection Process and What Reviewers Want
Applications are evaluated through peer review. Although partial randomisation may be used in the final round, quality matters most.
Strong applications usually:
- Present a coherent and significant research plan
- Show a strong match between budget and activities
- Offer valuable contributions to scholarly knowledge
- Are well-written, concise, and realistic
Projects that cross disciplinary boundaries or involve partnerships can also stand out.
Maximize Your Success
Before you apply:
- Take help from past successful case studies on the British Academy website
- Discuss your proposal in detail with a mentor or supervisor
- Ensure your research addresses a timely or underexplored topic
- Plan your dissemination strategy in advance
Taking these steps will support your application and improve your chances of success.
Final Thoughts: Take the Next Step in Your Academic Journey
This is more than just funding — it’s an opportunity to amplify your academic voice. It can launch a major research agenda or help complete an existing study. Additionally, the British Academy’s support provides recognition that resonates in academic and policy circles.
📩 Contact for Queries: [email protected]
📝 Click Here For More Information: British Academy Flexi-Grant Portal
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