Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship Competition 2026
Posted on Wednesday 22 October 2025
The Department of History at the University of York is now inviting expressions of interest for the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships.
We will support candidates who demonstrate a track record of excellent research, backed by evidence such as doctoral funding and/or publications in top journals.
The deadline to submit an expression of interest to our department for this scheme is 5pm Friday 21st November 2025 and should include:
- CV (4 pages max), including your name and current institution, the date of submission of your doctorate or date of your doctoral viva, publications, and a statement of eligibility for the scheme, as per the guidance
- a summary of your proposed project (max. 1,000 words)
- one paragraph explaining why you see the Department of History at York as a good fit for your planned project, which should identify a proposed mentor (max. 500 words)
- one paragraph underlining why you consider yourself to be an outstanding candidate for this scheme
- one writing sample (article or chapter, published or unpublished).
Candidates are strongly advised to liaise with appropriate members of academic staff within our department to discuss their project and the structure of their application.
Expressions of interest and any questions should be directed to Professor Chris Renwick (Chair of Research) at chris.renwick@york.ac.uk
Find out more about the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships:
These Fellowships aim to provide career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, but who have a proven record of research. The expectation is that Fellows should undertake a significant piece of publishable work during their tenure, and that the Fellowships should lead to a more permanent academic position.
Before contacting us please make sure you meet the eligibility criteria of the fellowships. Also note that the Trust places special weight on:
- The originality of the proposed work, beyond incremental development, and beyond the immediate subject
- The removal of barriers between traditional disciplines
- Intellectual curiosity and fresh directions and departures from existing approaches
- Willingness to take appropriate risks
- A strong justification offered for the choice of the Trust as the source of funds