British Academy

The British Academy, established by Royal Charter in 1902, is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and the social sciences. It is an independent, self-governing Fellowship of 900 scholars, elected for distinction in research.

The Academy supports a wide range of research through its various grants schemes and fellowships, promotes relations between researchers in the UK and overseas, and recognises outstanding achievement in scholarship through prizes and annual elections of new Fellows. It runs a varied programme of public events, has an active publications programme and also engages with and advises on major policy issues.

The British Academy receives Government funding through the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, but the Academy is committed to diversifying its sources of income. Building up its funds will protect its independence and autonomy, and ensure it can deliver its aims of supporting excellent research and scholarship.

Historically, the Academy’s ability to achieve its aims has been greatly aided by the generosity of benefactors. Many donors specify an area of the Academy’s work or a particular activity that they wish to support. Others, by citing general purposes, enable the Academy’s governing Council to use its discretion as its strategic priorities change over time.

Bequests are deeply appreciated and are a powerful method of making a lasting difference for generations to come.