Hosted Independent Researchers

It is possible for the Faculty to host independent research fellows with competitively awarded, time-limited funding from a recognised international body, such as the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council or the Swiss National Science Foundation. Such arrangements must usually be detailed by the individual during the external funding application process, and approval must be sought before the Faculty is included in this way.

Prospective hosted independent researchers must:

  • be applying for a competitively awarded research grant from a recognised international body where the funds will be paid directly to the research fellow or their home institution;
  • have obtained the support of a member of the Philosophy Faculty Panel at Oxford, who will be willing to be their mentor during their visit;
  • hold a right to work in the UK or be able to meet the Home Office criteria for an appropriate visa route.

A series of visa and funder checks will be made to ensure eligibility before proposals are forwarded for review by the Director of Research in a gathered field three times a year. It is your responsibility to complete the below enquiry process in plenty of time to meet your prospective funder's deadlines.

Note that this is for external funding that will be held by the individual or their home institution. If you are interested in fellowships held by the Faculty itself (e.g. British Academy, Leverhulme, Marie Curie), you should follow the relevant process for each scheme. These have their own requirements and deadlines and are advertised via the Faculty's website when the calls go live.

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Prospective hosted researchers must follow the process outlined below. The Faculty reserves the right to reject applications at its discretion.

You must complete a Hosted Independent Researcher form which will be forwarded for visa and funder checks in the first instance. Assuming your enquiry passes these initial checks, your information will be forwarded for consideration on the three dates outlined below.

Applications received between deadlines will be considered at the next gathered field, and so it is your responsibility to ensure we receive your form in enough time to meet your prospective funder's deadlines.

The gathered fields for 2024/25 are:

Deadline 1: Monday 2nd December 2024

Deadline 2: Monday 7th April 2025

Deadline 3: Monday 4th August 2025

Assuming your enquiry is approved and your subsequent funding application is successful, you will be entitled to associate Faculty membership during your stay. On arrival you will be required to attend a brief induction at the Faculty for more information about this and to complete a right to work check and other relevant paperwork. This appointment will be scheduled in advance of your arrival.

Hosted researchers from overseas may need to obtain a visa to enter the UK. If applicable, the Faculty will determine the appropriate route and support you through the application process. If a visa is required, it must have been issued before you travel to the UK, and your arrival date must comply with the start date of your visa. Whilst a visa application is in progress, you must not travel to the UK under any other immigration status (e.g. visitor) as this will result in your application being cancelled by the Home Office.