Anthropology Research Bulletin

None at the moment.

John Fell Fund

This fund aims to foster creativity and a proactive approach to research opportunities in all subject areas, particularly interdisciplinary fields. Costing support requests for Main Awards need to be made to research@anthro.ox.ac.uk before 28th August 2026. Costing support requests for Small Awards need to be made to research@anthro.ox.ac.uk before 11th September 2026. The upcoming deadline for this call is 21st October 2026.

Environment Impact Acceleration Account

The Environment IAA is open to University of Oxford researchers who are undertaking environment-related research across any disciplinary area. Supported through the University’s Strategic Innovation Fund, the scheme is designed to accelerate the impact of environmental research beyond academia. The call has three funding schemes; it will run across three funding rounds, and the upcoming deadline is 30th September 2026. Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk by 28th August 2026 if you are interested in applying to this call. 

Hazem Ben-Gacem Tunisian Collaboration and Research Grants

This award, of up to £5,000 each, is open to DPhils and academics working in the fields of humanities or social sciences at the University of Oxford, with the aim of supporting field research in Tunisia and collaborative projects with Tunisian scholars. All application materials should be sent by email to tunisia-oxford@sant.ox.ac.uk. Rolling deadline. 

Funding opportunities for Policy Engagement

The University of Oxford offers dedicated funding for policy engagement, supporting policy-relevant projects, project components, partnerships, and events. Colleagues can also access information on external funding opportunities for policy-facing work.

Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk if you are interested in applying to any of these calls.

To discuss any of these options further, contact the Policy Engagement Team at researchandpublicpolicy@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Note 1: UKRI is currently reviewing its funding portfolio to transition to a new investment framework. Links for more information: ​More information about UKRI review of investment approach, pause in funding calls and an open letter from Ian Chapman (UKRI)

Note 2: ESRC responsive mode calls are expected to be phased out from autumn 2026. New pilot schemes will be introduced starting autumn 2026 that are expected to take the place of the responsive mode calls. More information is available here: Types of Funding - ESRC

Pre-announcement: Trust and confidence in policing: R&I Consortium

Apply for funding to develop and test dynamic tools and innovative approaches to measure public trust and confidence in policing by 2030.

The tools and approaches developed will access the voices of underrepresented communities, assess the impact of police activity, and identify what builds public trust and confidence.

Administrative Data Research (ADR) Doctoral Projects: Invitation for Proposals

ADR UK is inviting applications from Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) to host a cohort of PhD studentships using ADR UK linked administrative data. This funding opportunity is for PhD Supervisors. The successful studentships will be announced in January 2027, and following recruitment, the PhD students will start in October 2027. The DTP deadline for applications is 16:00 on 15 September 2026. 

ESRC React Awards (pilot)

React awards enable time-critical research to support policymakers and practitioners delivering frontline public services in the UK. Researchers must work with public sector partners to respond to emerging and urgent evidence needs and deliver impactful outputs within six months. Awards between £50-100k are expected to be made, and the scheme deadline is 8 October 2026. This is a rolling call, and may close before the deadline should demand exceed availability of funds. Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk as soon as possible if you are interested in applying.  

UKRI Translation: AHRC Proof of Concept

UKRI Translation: AHRC Proof of Concept supports arts and humanities activity that translate previously funded AHRC/UKRI projects into real world economic, societal, cultural or policy impact. This opportunity was previously known as AHRC responsive mode: follow-on funding for impact and engagement. Open call – no closing date.

Daphne Jackson Fellowship

These fellowships are for those looking to return to a research career after a break. You must be eligible for UKRI funding. Open call - no closing date. 

AHRC responsive mode: Curiosity Award

Flexible awards to fund fundamental research that leads to new research agendas, networking activity and idea generation, which enables the development of further research opportunities and new research agendas. Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk if you plan to apply. Open call - no closing date. 

AHRC responsive mode: catalyst awards

AHRC awards to support researchers without prior experience of leading a significant research project to accelerate their trajectory as independent researchers, to unlock their potential and build leadership and convenor experience. Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk if you plan to apply. Open call - no closing date

British Academy Early Career Researcher Network

The University of Oxford is now a consortium partner of the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (BA ECRN) – South East branch. The BA ECRN is a network to help, support, develop and empower early career colleagues undertaking Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SHAPE) research in the UK. Any colleague with up to 10 years of research experience in SHAPE disciplines since obtaining their PhD (or equivalent) and who is based in the South East region can sign up to the network.

Membership provides access to:

• Transdisciplinary and inter-institutional networking that could lead to new research collaborations
• Seed funding for research projects (up to £5K)
• Up to £300 for development outside of BA ECRN activity or conferences
• Travel funds to attend BA ECRN events

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and The British Academy Knowledge Frontiers Symposium 2027

The British Academy is inviting applications for early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences to attend a research collaboration symposium on the broad theme of ‘Humans and Nature: More resilient towards the future’, in partnership with The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Applications need to be made online by 16th September 2026. Please consult the scheme guidelines in details before applying. 

Talent Development Awards 2026-27

The Talent Development Awards are available to promote the acquisition and advancement of skills in relevant areas by UK-based researchers, supporting innovative research methods, be that through skills development, collaboration or dissemination. The aim of the scheme is to enable researchers to build their skills and capacities in core areas to develop their current and future research. The maximum funding available is £10,000. The funder deadline is 7th October 2026. Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk by 28th August 2026 if you are interested in applying. 

Nuffield Foundation - Main Grants (Research, Development and Analysis Fund)

For SAME Staff only: 

About the scheme

The Nuffield Foundation’s Main Grants (Research, Development and Analysis Fund) supports research and innovation with the potential to improve people’s lives in the UK. Proposals must address one or more of the Foundation’s five interconnected priority questions:

• How can we build a prosperous and fair society, where people are secure and can fulfil their potential?
• How can we build an inclusive society, where people thrive and feel they belong, in the context of changing demography and ways of life?
• How can we ensure that developments in science and technology work for people and society?
• How can policies to address climate change be developed in a way that promotes a prosperous, fair and inclusive society?
• How can we build and maintain the effective, accountable and trustworthy institutions that our society and democracy need?

The Foundation assesses proposals according to their relevance, potential for impact, conceptual framework, methodological rigour, the experience and expertise of the team, and value for money.

Main Grants are available for up to £500,000, although most grants awarded are below £300,000. Applications above £500,000 and up to £750,000 may exceptionally be considered by prior agreement with the Foundation where there is a strong case and clear value for money. Projects usually last between six months and three years, although shorter or longer projects may occasionally be funded.

For detailed information about the scheme, funding priorities, and application process, please see the Guide for Applicants.

Applicants should check their eligibility using the Eligibility Tool before preparing an expression of interest.

Stage 1 – Gathered Field (deadline 9am BST on 27th August 2026)

The department is only able to support a limited number of applications to this funding round. Applicants wishing to apply through the department should first check their eligibility and the fit of their proposal with the Nuffield Foundation’s priorities and guidance.

For the Gathered Field, applicants are requested to prepare an Expression of Interest as below. Responses should be written in non-technical language suitable for reviewers from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise.

Please provide the following information in a Word Document (Arial, font size 11):

Project information

• Project title – maximum 70 characters.
• Proposed project start date and end date [1st of month, and the department will be able to support a start date in October/November 2027].
• The Nuffield Foundation priority question(s) addressed by the project.

A) Project Summary – maximum 100 words

Provide a concise summary of the proposed project.

B) Research questions – maximum 200 words

Set out the research questions that the project will answer.

C) Case for importance – maximum 200 words

Explain:

• Why the project is needed.
• How the project is relevant to the Nuffield Foundation’s interests/areas of focus.
• What is distinctive about the project and how it will build on previous research.

D) Outcomes and influence – maximum 300 words

Indicate which type(s) of impact the project is expected to achieve, based on the options below (you can select one or more):

1. Informing change to policies, systems, or legislation.
2. Informing practice change.
3. Improving or advancing understanding or awareness of an issue.
4. Changing attitudes or perceptions.
5. Providing opportunity and building capability.

Explain how the project and its outputs will achieve the intended impact. This should include the proposed dissemination and influencing strategy, the audiences that will be prioritised, and how the project will engage with them.

E) Methods, approach and activities – maximum 750 words

Describe the research methods that will be used and the work that will be undertaken. The proposal should demonstrate that the planned activities are feasible and rigorous, and are sufficient and necessary to answer the research questions.

In line with the Foundation’s guidance, this section should address, where relevant:

• Whether the project is exploratory, intended to provide a robust descriptive account, intended to infer or understand causality, or combines these approaches.
   
• The population of interest and unit of analysis, including who will be included and why.
   
• Whether important groups may be excluded, why, and the implications for the study.
   
• The proposed research methods and the rationale for their use.
   
• The sampling approach.
   
• For quantitative work, whether sample sizes are sufficient to examine the key relationships, including subgroup analyses, and how potential bias will be considered.
   
• For qualitative work, sampling criteria and quotas, how an appropriate range of individuals and experiences will be represented, and the proposed approach to analysis.
   
• For evaluations, how the counterfactual will be assessed and what effect sizes can be detected.
   
• Important limitations of the data and how these will be recognised and addressed.

F) Research and engagement team – maximum 250 words

For each person who will work on the project, provide:

• Name.
• Organisation.
• Role on the project.
• FTE on the project.

Stage 2 – Nuffield Foundation Outline Application 

Candidates selected through the Gathered Field will receive departmental support to develop their Outline application for submission to the Nuffield Foundation. The Research Support Team will cost the application and prepare the funder budget sheet required for the same in accordance with funder, institutional and departmental policies. 

Relevant deadlines: 

Departmental deadline for finalising application materials: 21st September 2026 

Research Services deadline: 28th September 2026 

Funder deadline: 5th October 2026

Stage 3 – Nuffield Foundation Full Application – by invitation only

Applicants shortlisted following the Outline stage are expected to be invited to submit a Full application in November/December 2026. The Foundation normally provides feedback with the invitation, which must be addressed in the Full application, and generally allows around six weeks for submission.

Full applications provide substantially greater detail on the research, methods, intended outcomes and impact, project team, stakeholder engagement, quality assurance and risk management, legal and ethical issues, and timetable. The Research Support Team will cost the application and prepare the funder budget sheet required for the application. 

Please direct any queries about the departmental Gathered Field process to the SAME Research Support Team at research@anthro.ox.ac.uk. 

Nuffield Foundation - Racial Diversity UK Fund

For SAME Staff only: 

About the scheme

The Nuffield Foundation’s Racial Diversity UK (RDUK) Fund supports research to understand the potentials and challenges for the UK’s racially diverse future. The Fund aims to improve understanding of the barriers and pathways to a racially just and inclusive society.

The priority theme for the 2026 application round is ‘Inter-generational changes, continuities and challenges in a racially diverse UK’. 

The theme sits within the Nuffield Foundation Strategy’s Inclusive Society priority, which asks: How can we build an inclusive society, where people thrive and feel they belong, in the context of changing demography and ways of life?

Applications using any methodological approach are welcomed, including applied methods and participatory research. The Foundation particularly encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds, including individuals and organisations from racially minoritised communities. Partnership applications bringing together researchers and racially minoritised communities to explore challenges and develop solutions are strongly encouraged.

Grants of between £15,000 and £500,000 are available. Most grants awarded by the Nuffield Foundation are below £300,000. Projects usually last between six months and three years.

For detailed information about the scheme, its scope, and the application process, please see the Racial Diversity UK Fund webpage and the Nuffield Foundation’s Guide for Applicants.

Applicants should check their eligibility using the Eligibility Tool before preparing an Expression of Interest. 

Stage 1 – Gathered Field (deadline 9am BST on 27th August 2026)

The department is only able to support a limited number of applications to this funding round. Applicants wishing to apply through the department should first check their eligibility and the fit of their proposal with the Racial Diversity UK Fund’s 2026 priority theme, wider scope, and Nuffield Foundation guidance.

For the Gathered Field, applicants are requested to prepare an Expression of Interest as below. Responses should be written in non-technical language suitable for reviewers from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise.

Please provide the following information in a Word document (Arial, font size 11):

Project information

• Project title – maximum 70 characters.
• Proposed project start date and end date [1st of month, and the department will be able to support a start date in October/November 2027].

A) Project Summary – maximum 100 words

Provide a concise summary of the proposed project.

B) Research questions – maximum 200 words

Set out the research questions that the project will answer.

C) Case for importance – maximum 200 words

Explain:

• Why the project is needed.
• How the project is relevant to the RDUK Fund, including the 2026 priority theme.
• What is distinctive about the project and how it will build on previous research.

D) Outcomes and influence – maximum 300 words

Indicate which type(s) of impact the project is expected to achieve, based on the options below (you can select one or more):

1. Informing change to policies, systems, or legislation.
2. Informing practice change.
3. Improving or advancing understanding or awareness of an issue.
4. Changing attitudes or perceptions.
5. Providing opportunity and building capability.

Applicants should consider how the project could contribute to understanding, public debate, policy, and/or practice on tackling racial inequalities, discrimination, and disadvantage, and/or help map pathways towards a UK that benefits from its growing racial diversity.

E) Methods, approach and activities – maximum 750 words

Describe the research methods that will be used and the work that will be undertaken. The proposal should demonstrate that the planned activities are feasible and rigorous, and are sufficient and necessary to answer the research questions.

In line with the Foundation’s guidance, this section should address, where relevant:

• Whether the project is exploratory, intended to provide a robust descriptive account, intended to infer or understand causality, or combines these approaches.
• The population of interest and unit of analysis, including who will be included and why.
• Whether important groups may be excluded, why, and the implications for the study.
• The proposed research methods and the rationale for their use.
• The sampling approach.
• For quantitative work, whether sample sizes are sufficient to examine the key relationships, including subgroup analyses, and how potential bias will be considered.
• For qualitative work, sampling criteria and quotas, how an appropriate range of individuals and experiences will be represented, and the proposed approach to analysis.
• For evaluations, how the counterfactual will be assessed and what effect sizes can be detected.
• Important limitations of the data and how these will be recognised and addressed.

F) Proposed research and engagement team – maximum 250 words

For each person who is proposed to work on the project, provide:

• Name.
• Organisation.
• Role on the project.
• FTE on the project.

Stage 2 – Nuffield Foundation Outline Application

Candidates selected through the Gathered Field will receive departmental support to develop their Outline application for submission to the Nuffield Foundation. The Research Support Team will cost the application and prepare the funder budget sheet required for the application in accordance with funder, institutional, and departmental policies. This may require modification to the proposal during application development stage. 

Relevant deadlines:

Departmental deadline for finalising application materials: 21st September 2026
Research Services deadline: 28th September 2026
Funder deadline: 5th October 2026

Stage 3 – Nuffield Foundation Full Application – by invitation only

Applicants shortlisted following the Outline stage are expected to be invited to submit a Full application in January 2027.

Full applications provide substantially greater detail on the research, methods, intended outcomes and impact, project team, stakeholder engagement, quality assurance and risk management, legal and ethical issues, timetable, and budget. The Research Support Team will support applicants in the development of the application, costing the same, and preparing the funder budget sheet.

Please direct any queries about the departmental Gathered Field process to the SAME Research Support Team at research@anthro.ox.ac.uk. 

Links to rolling calls: 

• Wenner-Gren Foundation 
• Royal Anthropological Institute
• Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation 
• The Leakey Foundation

Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk if you are interested in any upcoming schemes. Please note that departmental and institutional deadlines will apply. 

None at the moment. Due to our ongoing support commitments for currently open schemes, we are unable to support the current round of the Wellcome Career Development and Wellcome Discovery Awards. However, we expect to be able to provide support for the upcoming rounds. Both calls will be subject to demand management and more information will be released closer to deadlines. 

Funding opportunities are listed on the EU Funding and Tenders portal. Please contact research@anthro.ox.ac.uk if you are interested in applying to any open calls. 

Pre-annouancement: ERC Frontier Grants 2026-27

The School will be organising demand management for upcoming ERC Frontier Grants. The Gathered Field for the ERC Starting Grant has now been completed. Further information will be released in the coming weeks.  

Horizon Europe 

Please note that the date for requesting support for applications due to be submitted in September has now passed.

Full details of visiting fellowships  

The Academic Writing Community is a drop in writing group for SSD DPhils and Early Career Researchers which meets weekly during term time.

SHOx: Oxford’s new platform for shortform scholarly publishing

The Bodleian Libraries is delighted to launch SHOx (Short-form Hosting at Oxford), a new hosting service supporting Oxford's community of scholars in publishing short-form research titles such as journals, working paper collections, and conference proceedings. Developed in partnership with the Public Knowledge Project (PKP), SHOx offers an intuitive, open-source publishing workflow through Open Journal Systems (OJS), ensuring full control over editorial processes and peer review. As a diamond open access platform, SHOx enables free publishing and reading for all, enhancing visibility, accessibility, and impact of Oxford research. Staff and student-led titles are invited to join this growing community for scholarly publishing at Oxford.

• Planning for Impact: Theory of Change
• Stakeholder Mapping and KE
• Research Impact Fundamentals in the Social Sciences
• Evidencing Research Impact

Dedicated careers support for Oxford researchers to continue: Following the previous update that dedicated careers support for research staff would end in August 2026, the Careers Service is pleased to confirm that funding has now been secured to continue this provision for a further three years.

Please access the Careers website online. 

• Research Integrity, Ethics and Governance at Oxford (a separate, introductory course to the mandatory research integrity course)
• Open Research Practices
• Research Design (coming soon)
• Collaboration
• Data
• Authorship, Publication and Peer Review
• Engagement and Impact (coming soon)