International Placement Scheme 2027 (Other)

This funding opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. Check if your organisation is eligible.

This funding opportunity is open to:

• PhD students currently funded by AHRC

• early career researchers (ECRs) in any arts or humanities subject

You must apply to undertake primary research in an AHRC subject area for all hosts.

You can apply for a placement at more than one institution in a single round, noting that separate applications need to be submitted. However:

• applications must be for separate and distinct research work packages

• dates must not overlap

• total placement length cannot be longer than the maximum total length of five months

• placements must take place in one continuous block of time

• applications must not be interdependent

• you should stay in-country for the duration of the placement

You can only hold a placement at the same institution once in each stage of your career, for example once as a PhD student and once as an ECR.

Deferred entry applications are not permitted except under exceptional circumstances, where you should contact us at the earliest opportunity. Equally, if your application is successful but you cannot undertake your placement, you must reapply the following year.

Before applying, PhD students must secure approval of their UK research organisation and their supervisor. ECRs must secure approval from their head of department. This approval confirms that you can attend the placement in full if your application is successful.

Who is eligible to apply

Individual eligibility for PhD students

You must be a doctoral student currently funded by AHRC to be eligible to apply to any host.

Placements must be undertaken during the funded period of your doctoral award.

PhD students must include their doctoral training grant reference in the ‘About you’ section of the application form.

Because these placements are intended to enrich and form part of the period of doctoral study, no additional time will be added to the doctoral award end date.

Individual eligibility for ECRs

Anyone who considers their role to be that of an ECR may self-identity as one. There are no eligibility rules based on how many years have passed since the award of your PhD.

You must be employed and supported by an eligible UK research organisation with a contract that extends for at least the duration of your grant under the International Placement Scheme. You will need to demonstrate that a contract is in place at the point of application submission. However, it is not a requirement to have a permanent employment contract to apply for funding.

If you are identifying as an ECR, you must either:

• hold a doctorate by the start date of the research grant

• demonstrate equivalent research or innovation experience, training, or both

To support you in determining whether you could identify as an ECR, you are encouraged to consider whether you meet at least one of the criteria of career stage and research trajectory below. You have:

• not previously held a major role as a project lead or co lead on a funded academic research project funded by AHRC, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) or any other funder

• not previously led or co led a substantial research programme in a commercial or non academic setting

• recently returned from a career break (for example, parental leave, caring responsibilities, sickness, or an unpaid sabbatical)

• recently experienced a significant career transition, such as moving from industry to academia, or returning to a permanent academic role after holding substantial administrative responsibilities

Where previous AHRC or UKRI funding has been held, ECRs must include their previous grant reference in the application form.

See further guidance on career and skills development for early career researchers.

Resubmissions

We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UKRI. Find out more about UKRI’s resubmission policy.

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

• career breaks

• support for people with caring responsibilities

• flexible working

• alternative working patterns

We are committed to promoting the values of equality of opportunity, diversity, and inclusivity. A dynamic, diverse and inclusive research and innovation system must be an integral part of UK society, giving everyone the opportunity to participate and to benefit. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from persons who identify as:

• an ethnic minority

• people with health conditions or impairments

• people with caring responsibilities

• persons of diverse gender identities and expressions

• persons identifying with other groups who are currently underrepresented

Applicants who identify with any of the protected characteristics listed above and who would welcome additional support, or who wish to discuss any perceived risks or concerns, are encouraged to contact us and their prospective host institutions for further guidance and support.

UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.

Applicants with disabilities or caring responsibilities may request an appropriate amount of additional funding where this is essential to taking up the placement and where it cannot be provided by routes such as the UKRI disabled students allowance. Applicants requiring this additional support should contact AHRC for further guidance and to discuss how to reflect this request within the application form.

Applications to UKRI through the new UKRI Funding Service can only be made if you have completed our EDI survey, which you are prompted to do when you open a Funding Service account. However, diversity information will never be used in the assessment process nor to make funding decisions.

Demand management

Demand management is not currently being applied to this funding opportunity. However, should the level of interest exceed what can be managed within the assessment process, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) may introduce limits on the number of applications that can be submitted. Further details will be clearly communicated where this is the case. UKRI encourages organisations to support applicants in preparing well-planned, high-quality applications that are competitive for funding relative to the funding opportunity.

Aims and scope

We are looking to fund eligible PhD students, and early career researchers (ECRs) to conduct a research placement at an international host institution for two to five months.

Funded through UKRI’s Collective Talent budget, the International Placement Scheme (IPS) is a prestigious programme that invests in the next generation of arts and humanities leaders. By supporting placements at leading cultural and research institutions around the world, IPS fosters international collaborations, develops globally connected talent and strengthens the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem.

The scheme objectives are to:

• support primary research through privileged levels of access to unique resources, facilities and expertise through short placements at internationally renowned cultural and research institutions

• through such access, enrich the depth, range, diversity and quality of UK research activities, especially in areas exploring under-represented and under-researched cultures, histories and methodologies by enabling scholars to engage with resources unavailable in the UK or online

• foster international research mobility and collaboration, building strong long-lasting global networks that connect arts and humanities scholars across borders

• accelerate career progression and personal development through full immersion in a vibrant non-UK research environment, positioning IPS participants as future leaders in their subject areas

• offer successful applicants privileges equivalent to those based at host institutions, such as opportunities to network and participate in seminars, conferences, workshops or programmes available at the host institution and beyond

Your placement must be based on your area of current research (including your doctoral research if you are a PhD student). The proposed research activities and outputs from your placement should complement, strengthen, or build on your current area of research. You will need to propose a distinct package of research in your application and explain how this project relates to both your current research and the collections and expertise of your prospective host institution.

You will also need to explain how exactly you plan to use the host institution as a base for broader engagement with wider in-country research, policy and/or cultural networks, enabling your development beyond institutional access.

Full details of the documentation required can be found in ‘How to apply’, and the assessment criteria for applications to this scheme are available under ‘How we will assess your application’.

Duration

Placements can last between two to five months.

Please see below information regarding the placement duration, as well as the eligible period for undertaking a placement at each host.

United States:

• Harry Ransom Center: two to three months

• Huntington Library: two to five months

• Library of Congress: two to five months

• Smithsonian Institution: two to five months

• Yale Centre for British Art: two to five months

Japan:

• NIHU: two to five months

China:

• Shanghai Theatre Academy: two to four months

South Africa:

• Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre: two to three months

Placements of two to four months should start no later than 1 February 2028.Placements of five months in duration must start by 1 November 2027.

Funding available

We will fund one-off payment for travel and visa arrangements and monthly payment for living expenses covering local transport, subsistence and accommodation fees.

The total award value will therefore be dependent on where you take your placements.

United States:

• Harry Ransom Center: one-off payment of up to £285 (visa) and £715 (travels), and a monthly fee of up to £2,500

• Huntington Library: one-off payment of up to £285 (visa) and £715 (travels), and a monthly fee of up to £3,000

• Library of Congress: one-off payment of up to £285 (visa) and £715 (travels), and a monthly fee of up to £3,500

• Smithsonian Institution: one-off payment of up to £285 (visa) and £715 (travels), and a monthly fee of up to £3,500

• Yale Centre for British Art: one-off payment of up to £285 (visa) and £715 (travels), and a monthly fee of up to £3,500

Japan:

• NIHU: one-off payment of up to £50 (visa) and £1,150 (travels), and a monthly fee of up to £1,700

For NIHU placements, we will pay for the management fee for international researchers to the hosting NIHU institutes directly, and this should not be costed into your proposal.

China:

• Shanghai Theatre Academy: one-off payment of up to £64 (visa) and £1,136 (travels), and a monthly fee of up to £1,600

South Africa:

• Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre (JHGC): one-off payment of up to £27 (visa) and £900 (travels), and a monthly fee of up to £1,500

Successful applicants to JHGC will receive one year of membership to the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) which will be paid directly to BIEA, and these costs should not be added into the proposal.

For JHGC placements, we will pay JHGC directly for the costs:

• of JHGC bench fees

• for the provision of academic supervision and institutional support

• for dedicated workspace at the Centre

• for access to JHGC’s archives and library collections

• of reasonable use of office facilities

• for opportunities to participate in and contribute to scholarly events

• for facilitation of professional networking with relevant experts and stakeholders

• for support in arranging meetings and other activities relevant to the researcher’s programme of work

These fees should not be costed into your proposal.

With regards to duration, funding and the application process, please also note that:

• limited additional support may be agreed by AHRC on a case-by-case basis for applicants with disabilities, to support inclusive and accessible participation

• we will only fund one return flight. It expected that the placement will take place across one continuous block of time, and that participants will remain in the host country for the duration of their placement

• travel and subsistence funds are estimated based on local costs and will be paid directly to the submitting UK research organisation (RO) at 100% (FEC). It is a condition of the award that the RO pays award holder the full award amount in advance of their placement dates. This will allow international flights and accommodation to be booked by the awardee in advance of their placement. The RO will then recoup the funds when these are paid to them by AHRC

• IPS awardees will continue to receive any stipend or salary they receive as part of any current AHRC award funding. PhD students will not be allowed additional time to be added to the AHRC award end date or submission date to account for time spent on their placement

• you should discuss your work plan with your supervisor (if you are a PhD student) or head of department (if you are an ECR or research assistant). You should also discuss it with the IPS host institution you are applying to. This ensures your proposed research will appropriately contribute to your current research, can be completed within a realistic timescale and is relevant to the IPS host institution you are applying to

• there is no cap on the number of applications that can be submitted by a UK RO

• if there is any underspend on the grant, this shall be returned to UKRI

Supporting skills and talent

We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment.

Safeguarding

Tackling exploitation, abuse and harm is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, students and any associated personnel directly involved in a UKRI-funded research and innovation activity have a role to play in preventing exploitation, abuse or harm from occurring by anticipating and mitigating the risks associated with the activity, and by reporting concerns or incidents if they do occur. We expect staff, students and any associated personnel directly involved in a UKRI-funded research and innovation activity to adhere to UKRI’s Safeguarding in Research and Innovation Policy.

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)

UKRI has a long-standing and continuing commitment to supporting and enabling safe and effective collaboration in research and innovation. UKRI is equally committed to ensuring that this takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks.

Our Principles and expectations set out the principles that UKRI applies to TR&I and our general expectations of the research organisations (including businesses, research institutes, and research technical organisations) that we support. Organisations supported by UKRI should be able to provide evidence that their internal controls and processes meet these expectations.

See further guidance and information about TR&I, including where applicants can find additional support.

Assessment process

We will assess your application using the following process.

All applications will be checked for eligibility after the funding opportunity closes.

Eligible applications will be shared with the respective host institutions and will be reviewed by relevant experts at the institutions. Scores and comments from the host reviews will then be moderated by AHRC. You will be provided with feedback as part of their outcome.

Applications which do not meet the eligibility requirements of this funding opportunity will be rejected prior to the reviewing stage. We will notify the submitter for any applications rejected at this stage.

We reserve the right to modify the assessment process as needed.

Assessment areas

The assessment areas we will use are:

• eligibility to apply

• the added value of the placement to the current or existing work of the applicant. This includes the relevance and importance of the host institution, and its resources and expertise to the applicant’s project, and how the opportunity will enhance the depth, range, diversity and quality of the applicant’s research

• the essential need for travel to access to the host institution’s resources, including whether the resources are accessible and whether equivalent resources are available in the UK or can be accessed online

• the feasibility of the research proposal, including the clarity of objectives and expected outcomes, and the suitability of the proposed timetable and activities

• the extent to which the proposal identifies further professional development opportunities available at, and beyond, the host institution, including plans for networking activities with other international scholars (such as, through conferences, lectures, collaborations and so on) and for broader engagement with wider in-country research, policy or cultural networks beyond institutional access

• the applicant experience, including relevant research and innovation expertise, skills and language proficiency (where applicable)

• the institutional support, as demonstrated by the supervisor’s or head of department’s statement of support

Find details of assessment questions and criteria under the ‘Application questions’ heading in the ‘How to apply’ section.

Outcomes

Successful applications

Once outcomes are issued, successful applicants will have 10 working days to confirm their start and end dates. Failure to do so will result in AHRC using the dates originally selected in the application. Beyond this, applicants will be required to contact the host institution directly to discuss the feasibility of any changes before contacting AHRC to approve and process any changes.

Once successful applicants have confirmed their acceptance, an off-system offer letter document will be issued prior to the official system-generated offer. This document will include host-specific information and instructions for actions to be completed by the successful applicants prior to the placement.

Following the first successful notification, the UK research organisation (RO) responsible for submitting the application will receive an official offer document from AHRC via our grants system confirming the dates and funding amount. This should be sent on to the successful applicant.

Finally, the applicant will receive documentation from their placement institution. Further details of this will be provided if their application is successful.

If successful, International Placement Scheme (IPS) awardees are responsible for booking travel and accommodation (including any travel insurance) and securing appropriate visa arrangements themselves. Local accommodation is available close to each host institution. Further information regarding accommodation options will be provided if you are successful.

The offer letters issued and the paperwork from individual placement institutions should be sufficient to support a visa application, and the UK RO may be able to offer support for this process.

Please note that the visa process may take between one to three months. Successful applicants are advised to start the visa application process as soon as they are aware of their application outcomes (at least three months before the start of the placement), and to be aware that there is a short turnaround time between outcomes being issued and the earliest possible placement start dates.

Portfolio balancing

hen deciding which applications to fund, the host review outcomes will be the primary determiner of funding decisions. However, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will also consider portfolio balance in terms of factors, including the balance across:

• hosts

• disciplines

• IPS hosts

• geography of UK ROs

Funding decisions will be communicated to applicants.

Principles of assessment

We support the San Francisco declaration on research assessment and recognise the relationship between research assessment and research integrity.

Find out about the UKRI principles of assessment and decision making.

Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in expert review

Generative AI may only be used for the purpose of language refinement during application assessment. When using generative AI to refine the language of a review, expert reviewers and panellists must ensure that:

• no part of the application being assessed is entered into a generative AI tool

• no personal information from the application is disclosed

• generative AI is not tasked with understanding, summarising or evaluating the application’s content

Expert reviewers and panellists must also:

• comply with relevant intellectual property and data protection legislation

• not take into account or speculate within their assessment whether generative AI has been used to develop the application

For more detail see our policy on the use of generative AI.

Sharing data with external partners

We will need to share the application (including any personal information that it contains) with the host institutions so that they can participate in the assessment process.

Webinar for potential applicants

We will hold three webinars for potential applicants.

• The webinar for placements at the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, with the British Institute of Eastern Art as a supporting institute, will be held on 2 December 2026 9:00am to 10:00am UK time. Register for the webinar.

• The second webinar, including the US-based institutions, will be held on 13 January 2027 2:30pm to 4:00pm UK time. Register for the webinar.

• The third webinar for the Asian institutions will be held on 14 January 2027 9:00am to 10:00am UK time. Register for the webinar.

These online events will provide more information about the funding opportunity, the host institutions and a chance to ask questions. Webinars will be recorded and the files for the recording, the slides and the Frequently Asked Questions will be added to this page when available.

Click here to start an application on the UKRI Funding Service: 

https://funding-service.ukri.org/OPP1416/apply/1449

Information you need to prepare for your application

Before applying, you are expected to research suitable host institutions thoroughly, using available online catalogues and digital archive links, develop a research proposal, and contact the potential host as early as possible to identify any suitable resources you wish to access during the placement and, if available, agree on placement dates. This engagement is designed to help you to refine your proposal and demonstrate the feasibility of your planned research.

For NIHU and the Smithsonian Institution, it is required that you contact the institutions before applying to identify and secure a supervisor, discuss your proposed research and confirm the collections or resources you intend to access.

You will be expected to give details of the specific resources, dates and, if applicable, supervisors for your placement in your application.

If you have any other concerns such as visa support or wellbeing, you may also contact the hosts. Host contact details can be found in the ‘Contact details’ section.

National Institute for the Humanities

For NIHU, you must contact the institution for prior consultation with a potential host for placement at least six weeks before applying.

If you are looking to work with the following collections, you are required to speak and understand Japanese at an advanced level:

• National Institute of Japanese Literature

• National Museum of Japanese History

• International Research Center for Japanese Studies: eligibility is determined by the specific requirements of the chosen research field

For other NIHU institutes, basic conversational Japanese is desirable, though not compulsory.

Resources:

• National Museum of Japanese History database

• National Institute of Japanese Literature database

• National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics database

• International Research Center for Japanese Studies database

• National Museum of Ethnology database

• Research Institute for Humanity and Nature website

Shanghai Theatre Academy

Please ensure your proposed times at the Shanghai Theatre Academy are between September and December, as placements must fall within academic term times.

See more information around the academy’s departments.

Yale Centre for British Art

The Yale Centre for British Art Archives department provides additional resources related to collecting histories, exhibitions, artists, dealers, and the formation of the Paul Mellon Collection itself. Please note that some material in the archives is restricted. If you have a question about access to particular material held by the archives, you can contact the department at ycba.archives@yale.edu

Resources:

• Collections

• Quicksearch

• Archives at Yale

• LUX

The Huntington Library

For the Huntington Library, whilst curators can confirm collections and resource availability, they will not act as a project supervisor. The library has a residency requirement for placement participant to spend 20 working days per month in the library. A ‘working day’ is defined as any day the library is open for use. Please also note that, as of Spring 2026, the library is undergoing major multi-year renovations. Whilst the library will be open as normal, access to specific collections might be delayed. Please find details of who to contact in the ‘Contact details’ section.

You should clearly state which materials and collections you will use for your project. You must explain why you need to come to the Huntington and why you require the requested length of time. This requirement is particularly important due to the planned closure of certain collections during the forthcoming renovations, and applications that do not identify specific Huntington collections are unlikely to be successful.

Resources:

• Catalogue

• Collections

• Research guide

The Smithsonian Institution

If you wish to apply to the Smithsonian Institution, you must select, approach and confirm a contact, to enquire about a specific collection at the institution in advance of submitting your application. This contact will act as an adviser should the respective application be successful. Please use the Smithsonian opportunities for research and study guide in order to contact an appropriate Smithsonian academic or staff member. Applicants who have not secured an advisor by the time of application will not be considered eligible for placements at the Smithsonian Institution.

Resources:

• Collections

The Smithsonian has a review process for activities that engage with the US government’s ‘countries of concern’ (USGCOCs). The goal of this added layer of review is to support mission-driven work across all disciplines and Smithsonian units while ensuring appropriate institutional awareness and evaluation of risk regarding engagements with USGCOCs. The countries covered by the Smithsonian guidance, which draws from two US government lists, State Sponsors of Terrorism and the National Science Foundation’s NSPM-33 Definitions, are currently China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Syria. Please note that these countries may change over time as the US government adds or removes countries which the Smithsonian Institution will monitor.

Academic appointments for foreign nationals of USGCOCs are included in this process of institutional review. Therefore, applicants bearing any of these nationalities should be advised to account for, and expect, an additional processing period of a minimum of three weeks in advance of any official fellowship letter being issued, a step which must be completed before the Smithsonian can initiate the visa process.

If your application to the Smithsonian Institution is successful, a Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) account must be created following your offer acceptance. Colleagues at the Smithsonian will contact you by email with instructions on how to set up your SOLAA account at the appropriate stage.

The Harry Ransom Center

If you are applying to the Harry Ransom Center, the University of Texas (UT) assigns all visiting researchers and fellows an appropriate title in their HR system. If you are successful, you will be designated as a ‘Nonemployee Research Affiliate’ and will be consequently required to complete a Nonemployee Research Affiliate Agreement prior to arrival in Austin. This paperwork is necessary to formalise your appointment and ensure you have access to a variety of on-site resources, ranging from WiFi access on campus networks to the ability to check out materials from UT libraries.

See further information about these procedures.

Resources:

• Collections

Fragile or off-site materials may need additional time to access, please email reference@hrc.utexas.edu for access queries.

The Library of Congress

Please use the Ask a Librarian Resource to investigate collections at the Library of Congress.

Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, South Africa

Find the relevant resources for the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre here:

• Catalogue

• Resources

British Institute of Eastern Africa, Kenya

Find the relevant resources for the British Institute of Eastern Africa here:

• Library Catalogue

• Digital Archive

We are running this funding opportunity on the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service so please ensure that your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.

To apply

Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page.

1. Confirm you are the project lead.

2. Sign in or create a Funding Service account. To create an account, select your organisation, verify your email address, and set a password.

3. Answer questions directly in the text boxes. You can save your answers and come back to complete them or work offline and return to copy and paste your answers. If we need you to upload a document, follow the upload instructions in the Funding Service. All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the How to apply section on this Funding finder page.

4. Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office.

5. Send the completed application to your research office for checking. They will return it to you if it needs editing.

6. Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI.

Please be aware that research office and finance teams undertake checks on hosting arrangements and financial eligibility. The ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance with all opportunity requirements lies with the applicant.

Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant.

When including images, you must:

• provide a descriptive caption or legend for each image immediately underneath it in the text box (this must be outside the image and counts towards your word limit)

• insert each new image on a new line

• use files smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format

Images should only be used to convey important visual information that cannot easily be put into words. The following are not permitted, and your application will be rejected if you include:

• sentences or paragraphs of text

• tables

• excessive quantities of images

A few words are permitted where the image would lack clarity without the contextual words, such as a diagram, where text labels are required for an axis or graph column.

For more guidance on the Funding Service, see:

• how applicants use the Funding Service

• how research offices use the Funding Service

• how reviewers use the Funding Service

References

References should be included within the word count of the appropriate question section. You should use your discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.

Hyperlinks can be used in reference information. When including references, you should consider how your references will be viewed and used by the assessors, ensuring that:

• references are easily identifiable by the assessors

• references are formatted as appropriate to your research

• persistent identifiers are used where possible

General use of hyperlinks

Applications should be self-contained. You should only use hyperlinks to link directly to reference information. You must not include links to web resources to extend your application. Assessors are not required to access links to conduct assessment or recommend a funding decision.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Use of generative AI tools to prepare funding applications is permitted, however, caution should be applied.

For more information see our policy on the use of generative AI in application and assessment.

Deadline

AHRC must receive your application by 9 March 2027 at 4:00pm UK time.

You will not be able to apply after this time.

Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.

Following the submission of your application to this funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and submitted applications will not be amended. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.

Personal data

Processing personal data

AHRC, as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.

AHRC will need to share the application and any personal information that it contains with host institutions so that they can participate in the assessment process. By submitting your application on the Funding Service, you agree that UKRI collect, store, process and share the personal data you provide exclusively for the purpose of assessing and managing your application.

We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.

Sensitive information

If you or a core team member need to tell us something you wish to remain confidential, email international@ahrc.ukri.org

Include in the subject line: [the funding opportunity title; sensitive information; your Funding Service application number].

Typical examples of confidential information include:

• individual is unavailable until a certain date (for example due to parental leave)

• declaration of interest

• additional information about eligibility to apply that would not be appropriately shared in the ‘Applicant and team capability’ section

• conflict of interest for UKRI to consider in reviewer or panel participant selection

• the application is an invited resubmission

For information about how UKRI handles personal data, read UKRI’s privacy notice.

Publication of outcomes

AHRC, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity at What AHRC Has Funded.

If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research.

Summary

Word limit: 550

In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application.

We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:

• opinion-formers

• policymakers

• the public

• the wider research community

Guidance for writing a summary

Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of:

• context

• the challenge the project addresses

• aims and objectives

• potential applications and benefits

Your summary must include the name of the International Placement Scheme (IPS) host you aspire to conduct your research at, the collections and dates you have secured with the identified host, and, if applicable, the advisor or supervisor secured.

Core team

List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:

• project lead (PL)

PhD students and early career researchers (ECRs) are eligible to apply under the PL role for this funding opportunity.

Only list one individual as project lead.

Application questions

Discipline classification: primary

Word limit: 5

Please provide the primary research area of your proposal.

What the assessors are looking for in your response

In order for your proposal to be eligible for consideration by AHRC, the choice of your primary discipline must come from one of the AHRC research areas. Please refer to the AHRC funding guide for specific details on the different levels of disciplines.

This information will be used for the purposes of processing your proposal and in the selection of appropriate assessors. The research disciplines are:

Histories, cultures and heritage

• archaeology

• classics

• cultural and Museum Studies

• development Studies

• history

• human geography

• information and communication technologies

• law and legal studies

• library and information studies

• philosophy

• political science and international studies

• theology, divinity and religion

Creative and performing arts

• dance

• design

• drama and theatre studies

• media

• music

• visual arts

Languages and literature

• languages and literature

• linguistics

Discipline classification: secondary

Word limit: 50

Please describe using keywords, the research area of your proposal and, where relevant, the approach, time period or geographical area.

Eligibility to apply for opportunity

Word limit: 200

Provide details about your eligibility status.

If you are a PhD student, please provide the following information:

• the title of your PhD

• the grant reference number for your current AHRC award (beginning UKRI or AH). If that award is part of an institutional block grant or consortia grant, for example, Doctoral Training Partnership, Collaborative Doctoral Award, Collaborative Doctoral Partnership, Doctoral Focal Awards or Doctoral Landscape Awards, we also require that grant reference number. If you are unsure of your grant reference number, you must contact your research organisation

• confirmation that if the application is successful, no additional time will be added to the doctoral award end date

If you are an ECR, please confirm that you will have a contract with an eligible UK research organisation during the placement duration and at the point of application submission. Please also provide information detailing how you self-identify as an ECR and how you meet the eligibility criteria by confirming you either:

• hold a doctorate by the start date of the placement

• can demonstrate equivalent research or innovation experience, training or both

Please explain how you meet any additional host-specific eligibility as described in the ‘Who can apply’ section.

Please give details on the level of engagement with the host institutions regarding availability of relevant collections or resources and, if applicable, suitable supervisors, as per the host requirements.

Purpose

Word limit: 1,000

Why is travel to this host institution necessary, and how will you deliver the proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Explain why this placement is needed, describing:

• why the host institution’s resources, collections, facilities and expertise are relevant and important to your project, specifically identifying them

• how the placement will strengthen the depth, range, diversity and quality of your research or practice

• the potential for the placement to advance current understanding, generates new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area

• why access to the host institution requires international travel and why the work could not be completed online, in the UK, or elsewhere

• why the placement needs to take place at this particular stage of your research

• how your research, methods or expertise will contribute to the host institution and its wider research community

• how you will make the most of the opportunity by clearly identifying the professional skill development and networking opportunities you will access at and beyond the host institution, including wider in-country research, policy or cultural networks

If your research is practice-based, explain how your practice forms an integral part of the research process, not only the outcome, clearly showing the creative or performative aspects of the research.

Explain how you will deliver the proposed work so that it:

• is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives

• is feasible, providing a clear timetable of how you will spend your time

• is appropriate for the proposed length of stay to allow sufficient time for access to the requested resources

• uses a clear and transparent methodology

• builds on and advances your previous work

Within this section we expect you to provide:

• a summary of the research or practice-based work you will undertake during the placement indicating how it relates to your current research

• an explanation of why international travel is required, showing how accessing the specific host institution’s resources and expertise is relevant and essential for your project

• an explanation of how your research objectives, methodologies, context or both could offer a unique contribution to your host community

• a description of your proposed methodology and planned activities

• a clear and feasible timetable showing how you will use the placement period and how it aligns with your wider research project

• a rationale for the length of stay requested

• plans for networking and professional development at and beyond the host institution

You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.

Applicant experience

Word limit: 600

Why are you the right individual to successfully deliver the proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Evidence of how you have the:

• relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to make best use of the benefits presented by this funding opportunity to develop your career

• right balance of skills and aptitude (including language proficiency if relevant) to deliver the proposed work

Within this section we expect you to include:

• a brief summary of your previous research and innovation experience to date (including any AHRC funded grants) showing how they have shaped your skills and aptitude to carry out the proposed work

• if applicable, how you’ve developed the required levels of language skills

You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.

Your supervisor’s or head of department support

Word limit: 400

Provide a statement of support from your supervisor, if applying as a PhD student, or dead of department, if an ECR.

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Reviewers will be looking for a strong statement of support.

The statement should include:

• confirmation of your readiness to undertake independent research at an international host, speaking to your capability, research excellence and suitability for an internationally based placement

• why the proposed institution is appropriate for you to conduct your research and validate the feasibility and value of your proposed project

• details of the supervisory arrangements that will be in place whilst you are undertaking your research during this placement

• if applicable, assurance that the time spent on the International Placement Scheme will not result in extra time being required to complete the current research funded by AHRC

You must also include the following details:

• the person’s name and position

• an office address or web link

Upload details are provided within the service on the actual application.

Trusted research and innovation (TR&I)

TR&I is the protection of the UK’s intellectual property, sensitive research, people, and infrastructure from potential theft, misuse, and exploitation.

Organisations receiving UKRI funding are obliged to act in line with UK government legislation. They are also expected to undertake appropriate due diligence assessments of organisations involved in research partnerships, collaboration agreements, and commercial contracts.

You will be asked:

• which areas of the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act your project relates to

• who you intend to collaborate with and how

• whether your project requires an export control licence

Your answers may affect the T&Cs of your funding agreement if you are successful. We may use your answers to determine that our current T&Cs are sufficient or if additional T&Cs are required.

Background

The International Placement Scheme (IPS) has been refreshed to ensure it continues to provide outstanding international opportunities for doctoral and early career researchers in a rapidly changing global research environment.

IPS enables access to novel research environments that cannot be replicated in the UK, particularly where knowledge is rooted in local collections, lived histories and cultural practice. It delivers a form of training that is not replicable through standard doctoral provision. Its impact lies in combining research excellence with international exposure and institutional immersion at critical career stages.

While access to world-class collections and resources remains a core feature of the scheme, IPS is now designed as a more future-facing strategic international skills and partnership instrument that develops globally connected early career researchers into future cultural leaders by embedding them in high-quality research environments where knowledge, cultural policy and public engagement intersect. Placements will provide opportunities to build global research networks, develop professional and leadership skills, gain experience in different cultural and research settings and engage with wider academic, policy and cultural communities.

Resulting from over two years of sustained regional engagement, including through the ISPF-funded Building Equitable African Partnerships programme (leading to this report (PDF, 3.2MB) and article), the host portfolio has also been rebalanced geographically to include new leading institutions with strong reputations, unique collections and well-developed international ecosystems in the African continent, alongside existing partners in North America and Asia. This broadens the range of research disciplines, environments, collections and expertise available to participants, while supporting opportunities for new international collaborations and partnerships. Researchers will retain full flexibility to define their research trajectories while benefiting from expanded disciplinary and methodological exposure. Hosts will provide a base for scholars to operate within wider in-country research, policy and cultural networks, enabling broader engagement beyond the host institution itself.

Following consultation with past participants and host institutions, AHRC has introduced a location-based subsistence model that better reflects differences in living costs across host countries. Further details can be found in the ‘Funding available’ section.

The refreshed scheme also places greater emphasis on participant support and wellbeing. All host institutions are selected for their ability to provide a high-quality research experience, appropriate supervision, and a safe and supportive environment for visiting researchers.

Since its launch in 2005, IPS has supported nearly 600 UK-based researchers to access unique international research environments, develop lasting professional networks, and enhance their career development. The scheme continues to provide a distinctive opportunity for researchers to broaden their perspectives, strengthen their skills and build international connections that can benefit their future careers.

If successful, you will be invited to join the IPS alumni network, which aims to understand the impact of the research conducted throughout the IPS scheme, as well as connect with fellow alumni. You will be asked if you are happy for your contact details to be shared prior to the beginning of your grant and provided an alumni survey once your placement has finished.

Reporting outputs and impacts

All recipients of research council funding are required to enter the details of their outputs and impacts through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) outcomes reporting system.

Students are only required to enter details in the UKRI outcomes reporting system from the third year of their PhD onwards.

Early career researchers (ECRs) are required to enter details from the first year of their original research grant.

Invitation emails will be sent to award holders at the point at which they are required to start using the UKRI outcomes reporting system.

Successful applicants will be expected to respond to other reporting requirements when requested.

UKRI will use key information supported by this funding opportunity in reports and publications.

For further information on supporting training awards please see:

• UKRI training grant guide

• UKRI training grant terms and conditions

• find studentships and doctoral training

Research and innovation impact

Impact can be defined as the long-term intended or unintended effect research and innovation has on society, economy and the environment; to individuals, organisations, and the wider global population.

Supporting documents

Guidance for creating a strong application (PDF, 261KB)

AHRC IPS Scheme Equality and Impact Statement (PDF, 264KB)

Related content

• UKRI policies and standards

• AHRC policies and standards

This funding opportunity is part of:

• International Placement Scheme

Get help with your application

If you have a question and the answers aren’t provided on this page.

The helpdesk is committed to helping users of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service as effectively and as quickly as possible. In order to manage cases at peak volume times, the helpdesk will triage and prioritise those queries with an imminent opportunity deadline or a technical issue. Enquiries raised where information is available on the Funding finder opportunity page and should be understood early in the application process (for example, regarding eligibility, content or remit of a funding opportunity) will not constitute a priority case and will be addressed as soon as possible.

Contact details

For help and advice on costings and writing your application please contact your research office in the first instance, allowing sufficient time for your organisation’s submission process.

For questions related to this specific funding opportunity please contact international@ahrc.ukri.org

Any queries regarding the system or the submission of applications through the Funding Service should be directed to the helpdesk.

Email: support@funding-service.ukri.orgPhone: 01793 547490

Our phone lines are open:

• Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm

• Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

To help us process queries more efficiently, we request that users highlight the council and opportunity name in the subject title of their email query, include the application reference number, and refrain from contacting more than one mailbox at a time.

For further information on submitting an application read How applicants use the Funding Service.

For questions relating to the host institutions (for example about collections or accommodation), a list of appropriate contacts at each placement institution who can be contacted to discuss the application is as follows.

Harry Ransom Center

Please consult the collections page for information on collections at the Harry Ransom Center. For additional information, please contact ransomfellowships@utexas.edu

Huntington Library

The Library homepage has links to the catalogues, collection descriptions pages, and ‘Using the library’ information. You should search the Library catalogue, the Art catalogue, and review the collections Research Guides for more information about specific materials and subjects. Please also consult the Collections at The Huntington, which allows users to search across the Huntington’s three collecting divisions and provides links to the specific catalogues for more details on materials listed.

Reference queries should be directed to reference@huntington.org including questions about an estimate of the time required to work through a particular collection or part of a collection. However, please note that the Huntington staff will not read nor comment on a draft of your application.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact curators with questions related to the collections. Please note that the curatorial contacts are listed at the bottom of the Library homepage.

Please read the following information pages before contacting the curatorial contacts.

Please refer to The Huntington Research and Fellowships page for general information about the Huntington and the Fellowship Programme.

For links to the collections’ descriptions and catalogues, please go to the Art Museum homepage.

For frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the placement programme, as well as a section specific to AHRC participants, please refer to the The Huntington AHRC IPS FAQs.

For all other queries, please contact Krystle Satrum, Fellowships Programme Coordinator at fellowships@huntington.org

Library of Congress

Please contact Travis Hensley, Program Manager, The John W. Kluge Center at then@loc.gov to be directed to appropriate individuals.

Smithsonian Institution

From the Smithsonian website, please select a name by clicking into the 2023 SORS and searching for the appropriate individual. If successful, the selected individual will act as advisor during your time at Smithsonian. As such, you must include the name and department of your advisor when submitting your application form to AHRC. When contacting the Smithsonian, please use this email template (PDF, 118KB).

You may also wish to contact the Office of International Relations for queries relating to visas, or contact Christian Kameni, Program Specialist at kamenic@si.edu

Yale Center for British Art

Please contact Christina Ferando, ycba.research@yale.edu to be directed to appropriate individuals.

National Institutes for the Humanities

National Museum of Japanese History

International Exchange Section Department

Email: kokusai-e@ml.rekihaku.ac.jp

National Museum of Japanese History website.

National Institute of Japanese Literature

General Affairs Division

Email: study-ml@nijl.ac.jp

National Institute of Japanese Literature website.

National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics

Research Promotion Division

Email: suishinka@ninjal.ac.jp

National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics website.

International Research Center for Japanese Studies

International Research Promotion Unit

Email: koryu@nichibun.ac.jp

International Research Center for Japanese Studies website.

Research Institute for Humanity and Nature

International Affairs Subsection

Email: kokusai@chikyu.ac.jp

Research Institute for Humanity and Nature website.

National Museum of Ethnology

International Cooperation Unit

Email: kokkyo@minpaku.ac.jp

National Museum of Ethnology website.

Shanghai Theatre Academy

International Cooperation Office

Email: annezong@139.com

Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre

Please contact Catherine Boyd (catherine@jhbholocaust.co.za) for any specific queries.

British Institute of Eastern Africa (BIEA)

Please contact Rachel Ibreck (r.ibreck@thebritishacademy.ac.uk) for any specific queries.