The Chevening British Library Fellowship is a prestigious, fully funded 12-month professional placement offered by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in partnership with the British Library.
This unique opportunity allows mid-career professionals, researchers, and academics from selected countries to share their expertise with one of the world’s leading cultural and research institutions. Fellows work on a tailored project-based placement, gaining access to the British Library’s vast collections and world-class expertise while contributing to meaningful cultural and heritage initiatives.
Applications for the 2026–2027 intake are now open. There are two distinct fellowships, each with one place available.
Available Fellowships and Themes
1. Chevening Southeast Europe British Library Fellowship Focus: Enhancing metadata at scale and unlocking the British Library’s historic Southeast European Collections. Fellows will improve catalogue records, conduct research, produce accessible collection guides, data analysis, blog posts, and other outputs to make these collections more discoverable and usable.
2. Chevening Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean British Library Fellowship Focus: The British Library and British Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean. Fellows will explore how the British Overseas Territories (such as Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Anguilla, and others) are represented in the Library’s collections, both historically and today. The project aims to address under-representation, strengthen connections with relevant communities, and improve visibility of these territories.
Duration: 12 months (expected to start in January 2027 and run until December 2027 or January 2028) Location: British Library, London, United Kingdom
Important note: This is a professional project-based fellowship. It is not suitable for individuals wishing to pursue their own independent academic research.
Benefits of the Chevening British Library Fellowship
Successful fellows receive a comprehensive funding package, including:
- Full living expenses for the duration of the 12-month fellowship
- Return economy airfare from your home country to the UK
- Allowance package to cover fellowship-related activities
- Up to £1,000 for approved project-related expenses
- Access to a rich programme of cultural events and networking opportunities organised by the FCDO and Chevening Secretariat
- The opportunity to work with the British Library’s extensive collections and expert staff
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, you must:
- Demonstrate strong potential for leadership and influence
- Show personal, intellectual, and interpersonal qualities that reflect leadership potential
- Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries/territories for the chosen fellowship theme
- Return to your country of citizenship at the end of the fellowship
- Hold a postgraduate-level qualification (or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant field)
- Have at least five years of significant professional and/or academic research experience
- Be currently employed or a currently enrolled PhD candidate (your PhD must not be at a UK, EU, or USA university)
- Meet the minimum English language requirement for Chevening Awards
- Not holding British or dual British citizenship
- Not be an employee, recent former employee (within the last two years), or relative of an employee of Her Majesty’s Government (including specified departments and the Association of Commonwealth Universities)
Eligible Countries/Territories:
- Southeast Europe theme: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey
- Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean theme: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands
How to Apply for the Chevening British Library Fellowship 2026–2027 (Step-by-Step)
- Choose your theme — Carefully read the full theme profiles and decide which fellowship best matches your expertise and background (you may apply for only one).
- Visit the official Chevening website — Go to the specific fellowship page for your chosen theme:
- Create a Chevening account and click Apply.
- Complete the online application form — Provide detailed information about your professional background, leadership experience, and how the fellowship aligns with your future goals.
- Attach all required supporting documents (as specified on the application portal).
- Submit your application by the deadline: 15 May 2026 at 12:00 (UTC).
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Early submission is strongly recommended.