Early career fellowships in cultural and heritage institutions: 2025 (invite only)
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) · United Kingdom
Invite only fellowship funding for early career researchers to conduct research at cultural and heritage institutions. Supports research within the galleries, libraries, archives and museums sector with cohort development activities.
Summary
Deadline
11 Jun 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Invite only fellowship funding for early career researchers to conduct research at cultural and heritage institutions. Supports research within the galleries, libraries, archives and museums sector with cohort development activities.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Culture. Heritage. Arts. GLAM sector.
Match funding
Required
Requirements
Invitation only — must be invited following successful expression of interest stage.
Eligible applicants
Invite only. Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for AHRC funding. Must be an early career researcher. Must hold a doctorate or equivalent experience.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to £312,500 full economic cost (AHRC funds 80%)
Total fund available
£2,500,000
Funding intensity
80% of full economic cost
Payment type
Salary and project costs via host (grant)
Eligible scope
Research conducted at cultural and heritage institutions. Must align with host organisation interests. Must contribute to research capacity and sector development.
Eligible expenses
- Costs compliant with FEC rules. Project costs up to £312,500 FEC.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under AHRC fellowship FEC terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Invite Only
Decision timeline
Outcomes aimed within four months of submission. Panel expected September 2026.
Assessment process
Panel assessment. No written expert review stage. Panel may ask clarification questions. Applicants have 10 working days to respond. Final decision by AHRC. Portfolio balance considered.
Application sections
- Summary. Vision. Approach. Applicant capability to deliver. Career development. Host organisation support. Resources and cost justification. Ethics and responsible research and innovation. Data management and sharing.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Project partner letters of support if applicable.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications not following guidance may be rejected. Application cannot be amended after submission.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
16 Feb 2026
Project duration
1 to 2 years full time. Longer if part time.
Project start
31 Dec 2026
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Only the lead independent research organisation can submit. Each independent research organisation may submit one application.
Consortium requirements
- Single host institution fellowship; invite-only nominations.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Application Limit","value":"One application per independent research organisation."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Research fellowship"},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Subsidy Scheme","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Sanctions Rule","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Animal Research Rule","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Invite only following expression of interest. Must engage with cohort development programme if funded. Host organisation must provide support statement."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Resubmission of previous UKRI application not permitted."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"By applying, applicant agrees to panel clarification process. Host must protect fellow time commitment. UKRI data protection rules apply."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 11 Jun 2026
- Funding amount
- Up to £312,500 full economic cost (AHRC funds 80%)
- Funding band
- Mid (£500k-£5M)
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Payment type
- Salary and project costs via host (grant)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Culture. Heritage. Arts. GLAM sector.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 3 Feb 2026