Early Career Fellowships in Cultural and Heritage Institutions: 2025 (Invite Only)
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). (UK Research and Innovation) · United Kingdom. Fellowship must be hosted by an eligible UK Independent Research Organisation (IRO). (UK Research and Innovation)
Invite-only fellowship funding for early career researchers to undertake research at participating cultural and heritage institutions. The scheme supports independent research, cohort-based professional development and networking across the galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) sector. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
11 Jun 2026
Updated
16 Oct 2026
Invite-only fellowship funding for early career researchers to undertake research at participating cultural and heritage institutions. The scheme supports independent research, cohort-based professional development and networking across the galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) sector. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Arts, humanities, cultural heritage, museums, galleries, libraries, archives and related cultural institutions (GLAM sector). (UK Research and Innovation)
Match funding
No additional match funding beyond the standard institutional 20% FEC contribution. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible applicants
Invite only. Applicants must have been successful at the Expression of Interest stage, be based at an eligible UK Independent Research Organisation, be an early career researcher, hold a doctorate in a relevant subject or demonstrate equivalent professional experience and skills, and align with the proposed host institution's research interests. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Projects may cost up to £312,500 Full Economic Cost (FEC). AHRC funds 80% FEC. (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
£2,500,000. (UK Research and Innovation)
Funding intensity
AHRC funds 80% FEC. Host institution contributes the remaining 20%. (UK Research and Innovation)
Payment type
Not specified
Eligible scope
Research undertaken within participating cultural and heritage institutions that strengthens research capability, benefits collections, practice or public engagement, and contributes to sector development. Fellows also participate in a coordinated cohort development programme. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- Costs permitted under AHRC Full Economic Cost rules, including directly incurred, directly allocated and indirect costs. Total FEC must not exceed £312,500. (UK Research and Innovation)
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service. Applications cannot be submitted through Je-S. (UK Research and Innovation)
Competitiveness
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Decision timeline
Funding decisions expected within four months of submission. Panel meeting expected in September 2026. (UK Research and Innovation)
Assessment process
Eligibility check followed by independent panel assessment. Panel members may request clarification questions through the UKRI Funding Service, with applicants given 10 working days to respond. Final funding decision made by AHRC. Portfolio balancing may be applied. (UK Research and Innovation)
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. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
- Project Partner Letter of Support (where applicable). (UK Research and Innovation)
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications that do not follow the published guidance may be rejected. Submitted applications cannot be amended after submission. (UK Research and Innovation)
Timeline and partners
Opening date
16 Feb 2026
Project duration
1 to 2 years full-time (longer if part-time or hybrid working arrangements are approved). (UK Research and Innovation)
Project start
1 Jan 2027
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Only the lead Independent Research Organisation may submit the application. Each eligible IRO may submit one application. Project partners may participate where appropriate. (UK Research and Innovation)
Consortium requirements
Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-07-30.
Grant Name
Early Career Fellowships in Cultural and Heritage Institutions: 2025 (Invite Only)
Minimum Award
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Latest Project Start Date
1 January 2027, unless exceptional circumstances apply. (UK Research and Innovation)
International Eligibility
Applicants must be employed through an eligible UK Independent Research Organisation. No separate international eligibility is specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application Limit
One application per eligible Independent Research Organisation. Applicants may submit only if invited following the Expression of Interest stage. (UK Research and Innovation)
Subcontracting
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Subsidy Scheme
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Sanctions Rule
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Animal Research Rule
Not specified. (UK Research and Innovation)
Interview Stage
No interview. Applications are assessed by expert panel review and clarification questions where required. (UK Research and Innovation)
Key Requirements
Fellowship must support an independent research programme. Fellows are expected to actively participate in the AHRC cohort development programme, including networking, training events and a residential programme averaging approximately 0.5 day per week. Host organisations must provide a support statement. (UK Research and Innovation)
Important Notes
Fellows become part of a coordinated national cohort programme led by the Victoria and Albert Museum, including networking, professional development and inclusive participation activities. Fellowships may be undertaken full-time, part-time or through hybrid working arrangements. UKRI accessibility support is available during the application process. (UK Research and Innovation)
Contact Email
researcher.development@ahrc.ukri.org (scheme enquiries); support@funding-service.ukri.org (Funding Service technical support). (UK Research and Innovation)
Official Grant Page
https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/early-career-fellowships-in-cultural-and-heritage-institutions-2025-invite-only/ (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
11 June 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. (UK Research and Innovation)
Official source
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 11 Jun 2026
- Funding amount
- Projects may cost up to £312,500 Full Economic Cost (FEC). AHRC funds 80% FEC. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Fellowship. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Arts, humanities, cultural heritage, museums, galleries, libraries, archives and related cultural institutions (GLAM sector). (UK Research and Innovation)
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 4 Feb 2026