The British Academy has just opened the latest round of their Mid-Career Fellowships scheme for researchers in the humanities and social sciences. You can find more details here:

British Academy Mid-Career Fellowships

The aim of the scheme is to allow successful applicants to obtain time freed from normal teaching and administrative commitments. The time bought by the scheme should be devoted to the completion of a major piece of research, and the Academy will also look for evidence of a clear commitment to a strategy of public engagement with and communication of the results of the research during the period of the Fellowship.

The criteria states that they are looking for both excellent research proposals as well as fellows who can promote public understanding of and engagement with humanities and social sciences. The deadline for outline proposals is 2nd November 2011.

These grants are attractive because they are covered under FEC – up to £160,000 for 6 – 12 months with a contribution to salary and overheads. They will also be incredibly popular, not least because the ESRC axed its own mid-career fellowship scheme in its delivery plan review earlier this year. In the subsequent AHRC-ESRC-British Academy joint statement on support for the social sciences and humanities, the British Academy announced that it alone would focus on mid-career support across the disciplines. Therefore, the success rate is likely to be fairly low, something emphasized by the call details which state that “a small proportion of applicants” will be invited to submit a second stage bid.

Eligibility is always a tricky topic when it comes to “mid-career” awards. You never really know whether you’re at the mid-stage of your career until you’ve got to the end! However, the Academy offers a few general pointers such as:

• already published works of intellectual distinction;
• established a significant track record as an excellent communicator and “champion” in their field;
• “normally” no more than 15 years from the award of a doctorate (although career breaks will be taken into account)

You’re encouraged to contact the British Academy directly if you’re in any doubt as to your eligibility. Please contact us if you’d like support at any stage with your outline application, including bid review and development.