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Department of Theology and Religion
Shelves of books from theology and religion

Funding Opportunities

Postdoctoral funding

The Department is very pleased to support applications to post-doctoral funding competitions from candidates working on topics relating to its wide range of research interests. Applicants wishing to apply for an Early Career Fellowship through the Department will receive assistance in the form of feedback on individual draft applications, especially the project proposal. The key schemes are:

  • BA International Fellowships (funder deadline typically March). Open to applicants working outside the UK and not holding UK citizenship at the time of application. Applicants should have completed their PhD by the time of the start date of the Fellowship

  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - application time usually in September, but contact the department months in advance to secure yourself a mentor.

  • Addison Wheeler Fellowship

Please note that all post-doctoral applications are subject to an initial round of selection procedures within the University. Applications to all schemes are subject to internal review in the Department and Faculty level. If you are interested in applying for a post-doctoral fellowship with the Department on Theology and Religion, please contact the Director of Research and Senior Research Administrator at: artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk.

 

British Academy International Fellowships Programme 2027

The Department of Theology and Religion invites expressions of interest from candidates who wish to apply to the British Academy International Fellowships Programme through Durham University. The International Fellowships programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders.

The official call will open in January 2027, but universities can submit only a limited number of applications. We are therefore seeking expressions of interest at this early stage so that we can offer enhanced support to outstanding candidates. Details of the previous International Fellowships scheme, including eligibility criteria, can be found here.

We welcome enquiries from eligible candidates, particularly those related to the research themes in the department or to relevant University Research Centres and Institutes. Applications are particularly welcomed from women and Black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.

Working in partnership with a Department mentor, candidates should check their eligibility to apply and confirm their intent to submit an application to the scheme by 6 November 2026. Notifications should be sent to Departmental Director of Research, Davind Janzen. An internal departmental selection process will take place on 11 November 2026.

Final decisions on the candidates Durham is able to support will be made in the week commencing 7 December 2026, after which we will work closely with the successful candidates to develop their applications in advance of the British Academy deadline.

For more information or informal enquiries, please contact the Research Hub at artsandhumanities.researchteam@durham.ac.uk.