Summer Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship scheme (SIRF)

Humanities Research Centre, Heslington Hall, University of York

Overview

The Humanities Research Centre at the University of York invites applications for its Summer Interdisciplinary Research Fellowships (SIRF) scheme, marking the opening of the University’s Arts & Humanities Research Hub at Heslington Hall (see above) and the inauguration of its researcher-exchange scheme with the University of Oxford’s Centre for Life Writing (OCLW).

The three Fellowships are intended to support short research visits of up to a month in June–August 2026 that foster new or developing collaborations with York’s distinguished and long-standing ‘period-based’ interdisciplinary research centres based at Heslington Hall:

  • The Centre for Medieval Studies (CMS)
  • The Centre for Renaissance and Early Modern Studies (CREMS)
  • The Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies (CECS)
  • The Centre for Modern Studies (CModS)

Applications are welcome from researchers from any background and at any stage in their careers, and doctoral and early career researchers are particularly encouraged. The scheme aims to encourage new or developing interdisciplinary collaborations between the University of York and the University of Oxford generally, and to facilitate engagement with the archival resources in the city, such as the York City Archives, the Minster Library, as well as the University library collections and the Borthwick Institute for Archives.  Applicants must have established contact and discussed their plans with one of the centres listed above. Applications are particularly welcome from researchers whose work engages with the theme of life-writing in all its forms and the University’s cross-disciplinary research theme ‘Heritage’.

Successful applicants will receive £1000 and a workspace for up to a month in Heslington Hall in June-August 2026, arriving by Friday 15 July at the latest. They will be required to produce a short ‘profile’ for the Centre website and to provide a Fellow’s Report at the conclusion of their stay.

 

The Humanities Research Centre fosters a sense of belonging and a welcoming and inclusive collective research life for staff and postgraduates from the University's eight Arts and Humanities departments: Archaeology, Architecture, Arts & Creative Technologies, English and Related Literature, History, History of Art, Language and Linguistic Science, and Philosophy. The Arts & Humanities at York are placed 50th in the QS world rankings.  

Visiting Fellows will have the opportunity to engage with the University’s vibrant research community, contribute to seminars and discussions, and explore opportunities for future collaborative research.  

   

Coming to York

York is a vibrant city steeped in culture and heritage, and is well connected by train and air (there is a direct train service from Manchester airport to York). Hotels and other accommodation are plentiful to suit any budget and on-campus accommodation (single rooms) is also available at a reasonable rate.

Eligibility

All applicants must hold or be studying for a PhD, or have a substantial professional profile in practice or performance. EU and non-EU citizens are eligible to apply. Awards are subject to the successful meeting of visa and any other requirements which are the sole responsibility of the applicant to organise in advance of their visiting fellowship.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following:

  • Alignment with the aims of the scheme
  • Quality and feasibility of the proposed visit and programme of research
  • Strength of proposed collaboration
  • Contribution to the research environment at Heslington Hall

Award Terms & Conditions

  • Fellowships must be taken up during the period July–August 2026, beginning not later than 15 July.
  • The Fellowship term is between two weeks and one month in duration.
  • The amount of the award is fixed and intended to contribute to travel, accommodation and living expenses incurred during the Fellow’s stay.
  • Fellows are expected to have a significant presence at Heslington Hall and the interdisciplinary period centre (‘the Centre’) to which they are affiliated.
  • Fellows are encouraged to give a research seminar during or after their fellowship, and will be asked to be available to meet with postgraduate/graduate students during their time at Heslington Hall.
  • On completion of the Fellowship, Fellows will be required to provide a one-page summary of their research visit.
  • Fellows are asked to credit the Centre and Fellowship in any publication or other outcome pursuant to the award.

Applications are by completion of this form.  Completed forms must be submitted to the Humanities Research Centre at hrc-admin@york.ac.uk by 5pm on Friday, 22 May 2026.