Fellowships-in-Residence

Fellowships-in-Residence

Our non-stipendiary Fellowships-in-Residence provide an opportunity for academics based outside Oxford to conduct research on American history, politics, international relations, literature or culture at the RAI. Fellowships-in-Residence are tenable for one, two or three terms in a single academic year. For dates of term, see the University website.

 

 

Fellows-in-Residence use their time at the RAI to conduct research, write books and articles, and engage with our community at formal and informal gatherings. Preference will be given to applicants who outline a specific research project for their time at the Institute, which would benefit demonstrably from access to the resources of the Vere Harmsworth Library and align with the interests of our scholarly community.

Fellows-in-Residence receive access to the Bodleian Libraries, a University email address, hot-desking space, tea and coffee facilities, and a lively community of Americanists. There may be an opportunity to present work to the RAI community, subject to programming capacity.

Applicants are likely to be academics with permanent posts in the US, UK, or elsewhere who are taking sabbatical leave. 

Prospective Fellows-in-Residence must:

  • meet the Home Office criteria for the appropriate visa route for the visit (if applicable);
  • commit to spending the equivalent of three days per week or more at the RAI for the duration of their fellowship;
  • if successful, pay in advance an administration fee of £150 per term; and
  • if successful, attend a brief induction with a member of RAI staff upon arrival.

The RAI is unable to:

  • offer Fellowships-in-Residence to anyone who has not yet gained their doctorate, including those who expect to complete their studies by the time a fellowship would start; or
  • provide accommodation, advice on finding accommodation, secretarial facilities, or supervision by a member of academic staff.

How to apply

 

Fellowship-in-Residence applicants must submit:

  • A completed application form
  • A two-page curriculum vitae
  • A list of publications
  • Two academic references in support of the applicant, which must reach the RAI before the application deadline

All application materials should be sent to enquiries@rai.ox.ac.uk. 

Applications for Fellowships-in-Residence tenable in the 2026–27 academic year are due by Monday 9 February 2026 at noon. 

Current Fellows-in-Residence may apply for a second-year extension, but this is granted at the discretion of the RAI Academic Committee. References are not required for extension requests, but the FIR should indicate in their renewal application the new dates requested, the reason for the extension, and what they intend to work on during an extended year. Two consecutive years is the maximum that can be granted as an extension.

 

Please note: visitors coming to the University from outside the UK/Ireland are required by the Home Office to enter the UK under an immigration category appropriate for their intended activity. Fellows-in-Residence from overseas may need to obtain a visa to enter the UK. Details can be found at Types of Standard Visitor visas | Staff Immigration (ox.ac.uk) and at Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Visit as an academic - GOV.UK.

Fellows-in-Residence who require a visa in order to enter the UK are likely to fall under the category of Academic Visitor sub-category of the Standard Visitor visa route. Only those employed by academic or higher education institutions overseas in teaching or research roles are eligible to apply to come to the UK under the Academic Visitor category.

Visits should always be discussed with the department administrator, who will liaise with the Staff Immigration Team if necessary, several months in advance of the intended visit. In the event that a visa is required, the RAI will provide an appropriate letter or invitation but cannot assist with any other aspect (financial or administrative) of the application process.

 

 

 

The programme of seminars and lectures took my breath away and ensured there was always a buzz in the air. And the scholars I met, from all over the world, challenged and stimulated me daily. My time at the RAI was a wonderful intellectual experience.

Dr Michael Ondaatje, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia