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Welcome to the DPIR Research Funding Opportunities page

There is a wealth of research funding opportunities available in politics and international relations, for academics at all career stages. If you’re not quite sure where to start, or would like some help navigating the funding landscape or brainstorming ideas, the best approach is often to contact a member of the DPIR Research Facilitation Team. We will arrange a meeting to discuss your needs and aspirations, and talk you through the most suitable options. 

For those already based at Oxford:

We are in the process of populating the below list of funding opportunities offered by DPIR, but it is not yet comprehensive. If you would like to apply for a scheme that is not listed here, please don’t hesitate to contact the DPIR Research Facilitation Team.

Postdoctoral fellowships

The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) is keen to support applications from early career scholars who have recently completed their doctorate, or are in its final stages, both from the UK and internationally. The applicant’s research area should be within the scope of the Department’s expertise.

Funding scheme deadlines & application processes

For the Postdoctoral Fellowship funding schemes listed on our Research Opportunities webpage, which are very popular and highly competitive, we have annual internal review deadlines. All potential applicants to these schemes must submit an application for internal review by the stated DPIR deadlines, regardless of the scheme’s own deadline.

Other schemes, such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Fellowship, are considered at DPIR’s discretion and are subject to an internal review process. (Please note the department does not support the Marie Skłodowska Global Fellowship due to the financial complexities of the grant). To be considered for DPIR support, please contact the Research Facilitation team at least eight weeks before any external funding deadline.

All potential applicants (internal or external) must submit an application for internal review and need to contact at least one member of DPIR’s permanent academic staff to explore mentoring arrangements prior to submitting an application.

DPIR Postdoctoral Fellowship funding schemes

How to submit an application

Please email the Research Facilitation Team with the following information for consideration. Your subject line should read ’Postdoc internal review: [your name]’.

  • CV - max 3 pages
  • Draft research proposal, maximum of 4 sides of A4, including references with a minimum font size 11. To include:
    • Title
    • Abstract (1 paragraph)
    • Aims and objectives (1/2 A4 page)
    • Case of support (2 A4 pages)
    • Methods (1 A4 page)
    • Outcomes and outputs (1/2 A4 page)

You only need to add the name and date of any citation used in the main body of the text. A full bibliography is not required at this stage.

  • Eligibility statement to include:
    • Name and deadline of the scheme you wish to be considered for
    • Statement of how you meet the specific scheme eligibility criteria
    • Name and email address of the proposed DPIR academic mentor

ESRC Grand Union DTP Postdoctoral Fellowships: 2025 entry

This Fellowship provides a 1-year (or 2-year part-time) career development opportunity for those in the immediately postdoctoral stage of their career. The aim is to support Fellows in consolidating their PhD (for example through producing publications, building networks or developing funding proposals.) Fellows should not undertake major new research during the grant. However, limited additional research (up to 25% of the programme of work) directly linked to the PhD can be undertaken.

QS WORLD RANKINGS FOR POLITICS & INT’L STUDIES: 2

BEST UK UNIVERSITIES FOR POLITICS – THE GUARDIAN: 1

THE WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS FOR POLITICS AND INT’L STUDIES: 1 IN THE UK