Durham University Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship

Eligibility

Our Call for Nominations for Fellowships will open in April 2025 for Fellowships in 2026/27. These nominations can only be made in conjunction with an awarded IAS Major Project led by Durham academics. These projects will be confirmed in April 2025. Open Fellowship applications will not be accepted for 2026/27.

Nominations are considered from international, world-leading researchers (or practitioners, such as writers, artists, policy makers etc.) who meet the criteria for the IAS Fellowship scheme. Thus, they must have a well-established or strongly emerging international reputation and a substantial publication record (or equivalent achievements); they must have made major contributions to their field; and they must be able to provide substantial evidence of research leadership and/or public impact. They are expected to have played a significant role in shaping their discipline or field through their outputs, achievements and indicators of esteem, and they should also be able to offer experience in leading or participating directly in interdisciplinary research.  

In accord with the IAS’s remit to establish international collaborations, preference will be given to nominations and applicants from outside the UK.  

IAS Fellowships are not available to undergraduate or postgraduate students. A completed PhD with five years’ post-doctoral experience is the minimum requirement for Fellows undertaking a traditional academic trajectory, or they must have an equivalent level of experience and track record in other areas. 

Previous recipients of an IAS Fellowship are not eligible for a further Fellowship.

In line with Durham University’s equality and diversity policies, the IAS welcomes nominees of any nationality. The IAS particularly welcomes nominations from individuals from under-represented groups. Preference will be given to nominations from outside the UK. (https://www.dur.ac.uk/equality.diversity/positiveworking/policies/eanddpolicy/).

Summary

The Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) was launched in October 2006 to mark the 175^th anniversary of the foundation of Durham University. The IAS is a home for growing big ideas.  The IAS supports, promotes and grows new and creative interdisciplinary ideas that transform our perspectives in challenging and provocative ways. It provides time, space, and resources to exchange and integrate ideas, knowledge and skills. This IAS is a home to an inclusive, diverse and supportive community of scholars from Durham University and across the world.

The IAS Fellowship welcomes world-leading researchers to Durham, providing the time and space to work on projects and build future collaborations. IAS Fellows will come to Durham each year to work with its scholars to spark new investigations and participate in a varied programme of activities.

Each year, the Institute sponsors several major interdisciplinary projects and a range of other research developments. Fellows are expected to collaborate with Durham colleagues carrying out such activities. 

Fellowships are usually available for a 3-month period between October - December, and January - March each year.

IAS fellowships are available based on nominations by Durham academics in conjunction with IAS Major Project applications. Fellows come from across the disciplinary spectrum and from across the globe. IAS Fellowships include an honorarium, funds for travel, and accommodation within a Durham College.

Durham offers Fellows time and freedom to think, away from the demands of their everyday professional lives. By recruiting Fellows from all around the world, the IAS also fosters an exciting intellectual environment in which thinkers from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds can exchange ideas.

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

The last open call deadline was in March 2024. For 2025/26, no open call is accepted.