International Placement Scheme 2026
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) / Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) · International
Funding to support PhD students, doctoral level research assistants and early career researchers to undertake a research placement at an international cultural institution to access collections, expertise and research networks. International Placement Scheme …
Summary
Deadline
19 Mar 2026
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to support PhD students, doctoral level research assistants and early career researchers to undertake a research placement at an international cultural institution to access collections, expertise and research networks. International Placement Scheme …
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Arts, humanities and related social science research disciplines depending on host institution.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
AHRC-funded PhD students, ESRC-funded PhD students (Library of Congress only), doctoral level research assistants and early career researchers in arts or humanities disciplines. UK-based researcher at organisation eligible for AHRC/UKRI funding applying for International Placement Scheme 2026. Placements must support research directly connected to the applicant’s current research or doctoral pr...
Eligible applicants
AHRC-funded PhD students, ESRC-funded PhD students (Library of Congress only), doctoral level research assistants and early career researchers in arts or humanities disciplines.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
£6,000 to £16,200
Total fund available
£250,000
Funding intensity
100% of placement stipend paid to host UK research organisation.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Placements must support research directly connected to the applicant’s current research or doctoral project and make use of collections, resources or expertise available at the host institution.
Eligible expenses
- Travel stipend of £1,000 (£1,200 for Japan or China placements) plus £2,500 per month for the duration of the placement.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under IPS 2026 funding opportunity terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service.
Competitiveness
Closed / Not accepting applications
Decision timeline
Not specified.
Assessment process
Eligibility check followed by review from host institutions and moderation by AHRC and ESRC.
Application sections
- Summary
- discipline classification
- eligibility to apply
- purpose of travel
- applicant experience
- supervisor or head of department support.
Application components
Not specified
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Statement of support from supervisor or head of department confirming approval for the placement.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met or if the proposal does not demonstrate a clear research purpose linked to the host institution.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
7 Jan 2026
Project duration
Placement duration varies by scheme track.
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Placement hosted by US scholarly institution under IPS arrangements.
Consortium requirements
- Single researcher placement; host institution in US per scheme rules.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Grant Amount","value":"£6,000 to £16,200"},{"label":"Placement Duration","value":"Between 2 and 6 months"},{"label":"Employment Requirement","value":"Early career researchers and research assistants must be employed by an eligible UK research organisation for at least the duration of the placement."},{"label":"Host Institutions","value":"Harry Ransom Center; Huntington Library; Library of Congress; National Institutes for the Humanities (Japan); Smithsonian Institution; Shanghai Theatre Academy; Yale Centre for British Art."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"International research placement."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Proposed research must relate to the applicant’s current research and make use of collections or expertise available at the host institution."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Applicants may hold a placement at the same institution only once at each career stage."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Successful applicants are responsible for arranging travel, accommodation and visa arrangements. The placement must occur during the funded period of a doctoral award if applying as a PhD student."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- 19 Mar 2026
- Funding amount
- £6,000 to £16,200
- Funding band
- Micro (<£50k)
- Funding type
- Placement funding
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Arts, humanities and related social science research disciplines depending on host institution.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 6 Jan 2026