Overview

The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Research Funding Assistant to join our Research Funding team, providing key support in the delivery of the Small Research Grants, and working in collaboration with the Events team to deliver their annual Conferences scheme.

The Research Funding Assistant will provide administrative support to the portfolio of funding schemes with specific responsibility for the BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants. This is a joint role, supporting the Events team with their annual schemes, particularly the British Academy Conferences Scheme.

Some of the main duties of the assistant include, but are not limited to advising applicants, award-holders, and assessors; coordinating Flexi-Grant; monitoring and reporting of award outcomes; producing statistics and summary reports; and the maintenance of effective information databases.

We are seeking a proactive and collaborative individual to join our dynamic Research Funding team. You will be experienced in working across multiple teams, meeting tight deadlines, and taking the initiative to support day-to-day tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the portfolio of funding schemes with specific responsibility for the BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants.
• Support the Events team with their annual schemes, particularly the British Academy Conferences Scheme.
• Advise applicants, award-holders, and assessors.
• Coordinate Flexi-Grant.
• Monitor and report on award outcomes.
• Produce statistics and summary reports.
• Maintain effective information databases.

Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft packages, especially Excel.
• Ability to learn new software and CRM packages.
• Good listener and team player.
• Effective time-management skills to prioritise tasks.
• Proactive and collaborative approach to work.

About the Academy

The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy.

The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team. We have increased staffing in the last 12 months and expect to continue to grow this year.

Working at the Academy

Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow.

Terms and conditions

The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1, a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week, with hours and location worked flexibly under our hybrid-working policy; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.

How to apply

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.

To apply, and to see the full job description and our workplace values, please follow the link to access the Applied recruitment platform.

Applications must be received no later than 12:00 noon on 18 September 2025.

Please contact the HR team at hrteam@thebritishacademy.ac.uk if you have any questions.