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The British Academy

The British Academy: Stage 1 checklist

For active researchers in the humanities and social sciences. Assessment uses only the required evidence. Checked against the published guidance on 17 October 2026.

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Before you start

Your discipline is on the GOV.UK list for the British Academy.
You are an active researcher with a PhD or equivalent research experience (at least 3 years of consolidated research time).
You have chosen Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise.
You have checked whether a fast-track route applies: a UK appointment, a listed fellowship or an endorsed funder grant.

Documents

Application form, with your personal statement written on it.
CV of no more than 3 sides of A4.
Full references for your most significant publications: title, publisher and where each can be obtained.
Full identifying references for any patents, with the countries where they are registered and valid.
A PhD certificate only if your PhD was awarded in the 12 months before you apply.
No copies of publications, degree certificates or award certificates. They are not needed.
No training or conference certificates. Extra documents do not help.

Letters

Exceptional Promise: 1 letter of personal recommendation from an eminent person resident in the UK who is familiar with your work.
Exceptional Talent: that letter plus a second letter of objective assessment from a different person, a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field.
The second letter includes a statement that it is not influenced by personal knowledge of you.
Each letter is written for this application, signed, dated, on headed paper and up to 3 sides of A4.
Each letter comes with the author's CV, personal email address and direct telephone number.

Final checks

Only the documents the British Academy asks for are in the pack.
The Stage 1 fee is £561 (GOV.UK, checked 16 October 2026).
Nothing can be added after you submit, and a review cannot take new evidence.

Official sources

British Academy: Route 4, peer review
GOV.UK: Global Talent peer review
British Academy guide

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