Chevening Southeast Europe British Library Fellowship 2026–2027 in the UK (Fully Funded)

The Chevening Southeast Europe British Library Fellowship is a prestigious professional fellowship that provides mid-career professionals and researchers from Southeast Europe the opportunity to conduct research at the British Library in London, United Kingdom.

The fellowship is jointly funded by the Chevening Programme, the British Library, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It focuses on improving access to historic Southeast European collections and promoting research on the intellectual heritage of the Balkan region.

Fellowship Overview

• Host Institution: British Library
• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Fellowship Duration: 12 months
• Fellowship Period: January 2027 – December 2027
• Fellowship Type: Professional research fellowship
• Funding: Fully funded

The selected fellow will work closely with library curators and metadata specialists to enhance catalog records and improve access to historic Southeast European collections.

Fellowship Activities

During the fellowship, the selected participant will conduct research and contribute to several academic outputs.

• Improve catalogue records for Southeast European collections
• Analyse large historical datasets related to library collections
• Produce research outputs and academic blog articles
• Develop a collection guide for Southeast European materials
• Contribute to digital research and metadata development

These activities help reveal previously overlooked historical materials and make them accessible to researchers worldwide.

Fellowship Benefits

The fellowship provides full financial support for the selected candidate.

• Living expenses for the entire fellowship period
• Return economy airfare to the United Kingdom
• Allowance for fellowship-related activities
• Up to £1,000 for approved project expenses
• Opportunity to work with rare historical collections

Participants also gain international research exposure and professional development opportunities.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be citizens and residents of the following Southeast European countries.

• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovo
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Serbia
• Turkey (chevening.org)

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements.

• Hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience
• Have at least five years of professional or research experience
• Demonstrate strong research and analytical skills
• Have proficiency in at least two Southeast European languages
• Be currently employed or enrolled in a PhD program
• Have a strong interest in Balkan history and culture

Applicants should also have experience working with library collections, datasets, or research archives. (chevening.org)

Application Deadline

• Application Deadline: 15 May 2026 (12:00 UTC) (chevening.org)

Successful candidates will begin the fellowship at the British Library in January 2027.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Chevening Southeast Europe British Library Fellowship provides a rare opportunity for researchers and professionals to collaborate with one of the world’s leading knowledge institutions. The program strengthens international research networks while improving global access to Southeast European historical collections.

Through this fellowship, scholars can contribute to preserving cultural heritage, enhancing research accessibility, and advancing academic collaboration across Europe and beyond.