Organizer Information
The fellowship is jointly hosted by the British Library and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Chevening programme. The British Library is one of the world’s largest and most significant research libraries, holding extensive global collections across manuscripts, printed works, archives, and digital materials. Within the institution, the Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania plays a key role in developing research and engagement focused on the Americas, the Caribbean, and Oceania, ensuring these regions are meaningfully represented in global cultural and academic discourse.
The Chevening programme is the UK government’s flagship international fellowship and scholarship initiative, designed to support mid-career professionals with leadership potential. In this context, the fellowship strengthens cultural diplomacy by connecting researchers and cultural practitioners from the UK Overseas Territories with major heritage institutions in London.
Title & Description
Chevening British Library Fellowship: Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean
This 12-month fellowship invites one exceptional mid-career professional from selected British Overseas Territories in the Atlantic and Caribbean to undertake a fully funded research placement at the British Library in London. The core purpose is to critically examine how the British Overseas Territories (BOTs)—including Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, and Turks and Caicos Islands—are represented within the British Library’s collections, archives, and institutional narratives.
The selected fellow will work closely with curatorial and research teams to strengthen the visibility and accessibility of BOT-related heritage materials. The programme emphasizes rethinking collecting practices, improving representation, and building stronger connections between the British Library and audiences in the Territories.
Key outputs include the development of a collection guide, blog publications, public-facing presentations, and a research report mapping cultural and educational landscapes across BOTs. The fellowship ultimately aims to reshape institutional understanding of these regions while amplifying underrepresented histories and knowledge systems.
Categories
- Cultural Research
- Archival Studies / Library Sciences
- Humanities Research
- History / Postcolonial Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Public Scholarship / Cultural Policy
- Curatorial Practice
Eligibility
- Be a citizen and resident of one of the eligible BOTs (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, St Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands).
- Have strong knowledge of at least one Caribbean or Atlantic Overseas Territory.
- Hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
- Have at least 5 years of professional or academic research experience.
- Be currently employed or enrolled as a PhD candidate (not in UK/EU/USA institutions).
- Demonstrate a strong humanities research background, particularly in history, culture, or collections-based work.
- Show advanced writing, communication, and digital research skills (including tools such as Excel).
This opportunity is specifically designed for mid-career professionals with a demonstrated capacity to bridge academic research and public cultural engagement.
Program Benefits & Awards
- 12-month fully funded fellowship at the British Library (January 2027–January 2028).
- Living expenses for the full duration of the programme.
- Return economy airfare to London.
- Allowance for fellowship-related activities.
- Up to £1,000 for approved research/project expenses.
- Access to rare primary source materials in one of the world’s leading cultural institutions.
- Publication opportunities (blogs under the British Library platform).
- High-level professional visibility in international academic and cultural networks.
- Direct engagement with curatorial and research teams within the British Library.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form (Chevening portal).
- Updated CV demonstrating academic and professional experience.
- Detailed research proposal aligned with the fellowship theme.
- Evidence of eligibility (citizenship and residency).
- Academic certificates (postgraduate level or equivalent experience).
- Personal statement/motivation responses (as required by Chevening format).
- Writing samples or evidence of research outputs (if requested).
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 May 2026
- Fellowship Period: January 2027 – December 2027 / January 2028
- Notification Date: Typically later in 2026 (exact date not specified)
Location
British Library, London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The fellowship is structured around three core research priorities:
- Identifying and promoting significant heritage materials related to BOTs.
- Reviewing historical and contemporary collecting practices, including legal deposit and web archiving systems.
- Mapping cultural and educational infrastructures in the Territories to inform future institutional strategies.
Deliverables include:
- A curated collection guide (general or territory-specific).
- Two published blog posts.
- Internal staff presentation (Researcher Packed Lunch).
- Public-facing presentation (Summer Scholars series).
- A comprehensive cultural and educational landscape report.
Optional extensions include hosting digital public events and presenting at academic conferences. The fellowship is designed not only as a research placement but also as a platform for institutional transformation and international knowledge exchange.