Apply for Global Innovation Fellowship Programme (UK)

Deadline: 14-Oct-2026

The Global Innovation Fellowship Programme, funded by the UK Department of Science, Innovation & Technology and administered by The British Academy, supports UK-based early- and mid-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences to develop policy-focused expertise through a 12-month placement at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in Berlin. Fellows can receive awards of up to £150,000, covering eligible costs such as salary, relocation, visa expenses, accommodation, travel, and dependant support while they work on innovative approaches to pressing German and European foreign and security policy challenges. Global Innovation Fellowship Programme – Overview The Global Innovation Fellowship Programme is designed to strengthen collaboration between UK researchers and international policy institutions. The programme provides UK-based researchers with the opportunity to be embedded within the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) at its Berlin offices. Rather than functioning as a conventional academic visiting fellowship, the programme focuses on knowledge mobilisation, policy translation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative approaches to real-world policy challenges. Fellows are expected to contribute research-informed analysis that can support German and European decision-makers while developing their professional skills, networks, and understanding of policy environments. Key Grant Details

- Programme: Global Innovation Fellowship Programme

- Funder: UK Department of Science, Innovation & Technology

- Administrator: The British Academy

- Host institution: German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)

- Location: Berlin, Germany

- Duration: 12 months

- Maximum award: £150,000

- Target applicants: UK-based early- and mid-career researchers

- Eligible disciplines: Humanities and social sciences

- Primary focus: Foreign policy, security policy, international relations, technology, AI, and related policy challenges

- Award recipient: The fellow’s eligible UK-based institution

What Is the Global Innovation Fellowship? The programme creates an opportunity for researchers based at UK institutions to work directly within a major German foreign-policy think tank. During the fellowship, researchers are embedded with DGAP and engage with policy professionals, decision-makers, researchers, and other stakeholders.

The programme aims to:

- Connect academic research with policymaking. - Strengthen UK-German research collaboration. - Develop researchers’ policy and professional networks. - Translate academic knowledge into policy-relevant analysis. - Encourage interdisciplinary approaches to complex international challenges. - Develop innovative responses to emerging foreign and security policy issues. What Research Themes Are Encouraged? Applicants can explore pressing policy challenges through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches.

Suggested areas include:

Security and Resilience Research may examine security and resilience in a changing threat environment, including emerging challenges facing Germany and Europe. Indo-European Relations Projects may investigate relationships between India and Europe and their implications for foreign policy, security, diplomacy, trade, or strategic cooperation. Technology and Artificial Intelligence Applicants may explore the policy implications of technology and AI, including their effects on security, international relations, governance, and strategic decision-making. Strategy-Making in Europe Research can address how European countries and institutions develop strategies in response to changing geopolitical conditions and emerging international challenges. These themes are illustrative rather than a requirement to address every listed topic. Applicants should demonstrate a strong connection between their proposed work and relevant policy challenges. What Does the Fellowship Support? Awards of up to £150,000 for 12 months can cover eligible costs associated with the fellowship.

Supported costs can include:

- Fellow’s salary costs - Relocation expenses - Visa expenses - Accommodation in Germany - Accommodation support of up to £2,000 per month - Monthly top-up contribution of up to £500 - One return journey to Germany - Support for eligible dependants The award is made to the applicant’s UK-based institution, rather than paid directly to the individual researcher. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet the programme’s requirements for career stage, residence, employment, and research background.

Eligible applicants must:

- Be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. - Hold a long-term appointment at a UK institution. - Be an early- or mid-career researcher. - Work in the humanities or social sciences. - Have an eligible UK-based institution that can receive and administer the award. - Be able to undertake the 12-month fellowship at DGAP in Berlin. The UK institution must also be an approved organisation within the British Academy’s grant management system. Who Is Not Eligible? The programme does not accept applications from: - Postgraduate students. - Independent researchers who are not based at an eligible UK institution. - Applicants who do not hold a long-term appointment at a UK institution. - Researchers who do not meet the UK residency requirement. Applicants should also understand that this is not primarily a traditional research-only visiting fellowship. Why the Fellowship Matters The Global Innovation Fellowship Programme addresses a growing gap between academic expertise and practical policymaking. Researchers gain experience working directly within a policy institution while policymakers gain access to academic expertise and new perspectives.

The fellowship can help researchers:

- Develop policy analysis skills. - Build international professional networks. - Understand how research is translated into policy. - Work with policymakers and other stakeholders. - Develop interdisciplinary approaches