Applications are currently being accepted for the Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship
The Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship supports eligible mid-career professionals from Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand to undertake a fully supported 12-month research project at the British Library. Running from September 2027 to September 2028, the project will improve access to rare Cambodian, Lao, and Thai printed works dating from approximately 1840 to 1950.
Benefits of Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship
- Specialist expertise in metadata creation for Southeast Asian early printed collections
- Experience working with rare books and heritage collections in a world-leading research library
- Insights into curatorial practice, conservation, digitisation, and collection management
- Experience using digital tools and AI-assisted approaches to support metadata creation
- Opportunities to build national and international professional networks
- Enhanced experience communicating research to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
Each fellowship includes:
- 12-month period of project-based activity at the British Library
- Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship
- Return economy airfare
- Allowance package for fellowship-related activities
- Up to £1,000 for approved project-related expenses
Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship Requirements
In addition to meeting our standard eligibility criteria, you must:
- Be a citizen of and resident in one of the following countries: Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand
- Have a postgraduate level qualification (or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area) at the time of application
- Have significant professional and/or academic research experience (at least five years)
- Be currently employed or enrolled as a PhD candidate (your PhD must not be with a UK/EU or USA university)
- Have excellent written and spoken knowledge of Thai, Lao, and Khmer, or excellent knowledge of Thai together with either Lao or Khmer
- Have good written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate research findings effectively
- Have an interest in bibliographical description, cataloguing, and curatorial work
- Have a willingness to learn and apply digital tools, including AI-assisted approaches, to support the creation of metadata
- Have experience of communicating with non-specialist audiences, including through blogs, social media, or other public engagement activities
- Have an interest in the history of Southeast Asian printing, book culture, and manuscript traditions
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
27 October, 2026
Opportunity Application
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Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship
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