Apply for the Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship 2027 - a funded 12-month research placement in London for Cambodia, Laos & Thailand.
Applications are officially open for the Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship 2027, a 12-month funded research fellowship co-funded by the British Library and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The programme is designed for mid-career professionals from Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand who want to survey, assess, and research rare early printed works.
The selected fellow will be based at the British Library in London from September 2027 to September 2028, working with the Henry Ginsburg Curator and colleagues in the Southeast Asia section and Conservation Centre. The project focuses on the Library’s collection of early printed works in Cambodian, Lao, and Thai languages from about 1840 to 1950 (approximately 600 - 800 items). The fellow will prepare metadata in original scripts and Romanisation to support new catalogue records.
The award covers living expenses, a return economy airfare, a fellowship activity allowance, and up to £1,000 for approved project costs. Applications close on 27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC.
Quick Facts - Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship 2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Convening Partners | Chevening (UK FCDO) & the British Library |
| Host Institution & Landmark | British Library, London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧 (Palace of Westminster & Big Ben) |
| Duration | 12 months (September 2027 - September 2028) |
| Eligible Countries | Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand only |
| Target Candidates | Mid-career professionals or PhD candidates with at least 5 years of relevant experience |
| Collection Focus | Early printed works in Cambodian, Lao, and Thai (c.1840 - 1950; ~600 - 800 items) |
| Funding Package | Living expenses, return economy airfare, activity allowance, up to £1,000 project costs |
| Language Requirements | Excellent Thai, Lao, and Khmer - or excellent Thai plus either Lao or Khmer - plus good English |
| Application Deadline | 27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC |
| Official Gateway | Official Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship Page |
About the British Library Southeast Asian Collections
The British Library’s Asian and African Collections hold the UK’s largest and most significant collection of Thai, Lao, and Khmer language printed materials: more than 10,000 books and ephemera and over 50 periodicals. The holdings include exceptional early printing from Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, many of which are unique or extremely rare.
Despite that international importance, much of the material remains under-researched. Many items are still reachable only through historic card catalogues, and about 200 early Thai publications have not yet been catalogued. This fellowship improves discoverability by creating metadata for catalogue records, identifying conservation priorities, and informing future digitisation.
What the Fellow Will Do
- Review, identify, and research early printed works in Cambodian, Lao, and Thai languages and scripts.
- Create metadata in original scripts and Romanisation to support catalogue creation by the supervising curator.
- Work with curators, conservation specialists, and digital specialists at the British Library.
- Contribute to scholarship on Southeast Asian printing history, book culture, and manuscript traditions.
- Write and publish a blog post and/or journal article on project findings.
- Organise a show-and-tell or staff presentation and take part in public engagement with heritage communities.
- Present findings at a national or international symposium or conference.
Skills and Experience Fellows Will Gain
- Specialist expertise in metadata creation for Southeast Asian early printed collections.
- Hands-on experience with rare books and heritage collections in a world-leading research library.
- Insight into curatorial practice, conservation, digitisation, and collection management.
- Experience using digital tools and AI-assisted approaches to support metadata creation.
- National and international professional networks, plus practice communicating research to specialist and public audiences.
Funding & Benefits
- 12-month project-based placement at the British Library in London
- Living expenses for the full duration of the fellowship
- Return economy airfare
- Allowance package for fellowship-related activities
- Up to £1,000 for approved project-related expenses
Eligibility Criteria
In addition to standard Chevening eligibility rules, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of and resident in Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand.
- Hold a postgraduate qualification (or equivalent professional training or experience) at the time of application.
- Have at least five years of significant professional and/or academic research experience.
- Be currently employed, or enrolled as a PhD candidate whose doctorate is not with a UK, EU, or USA university.
- Have excellent written and spoken Thai, Lao, and Khmer, or excellent Thai together with either Lao or Khmer.
- Have good written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate research findings clearly.
- Have an interest in bibliographical description, cataloguing, and curatorial work.
- Be willing to learn and apply digital tools, including AI-assisted approaches, for metadata creation.
- Have experience communicating with non-specialist audiences (blogs, social media, or other public engagement).
- Have an interest in the history of Southeast Asian printing, book culture, and manuscript traditions.
Required Application Materials
Prepare your Chevening fellowship application through the official programme page. Typical materials include:
- Completed Chevening online application for this fellowship
- Curriculum vitae showing postgraduate training and at least five years of relevant experience
- Evidence of citizenship and residence in Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand
- Statement of research interest aligned with the British Library’s early printed Southeast Asian collections
- References as required by the Chevening application system
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Confirm eligibility: Check country of citizenship/residence, language skills, postgraduate standing, and the five-year experience requirement.
- Open the official page: Visit the Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship listing.
- Prepare your research pitch: Explain how you will survey the c.1840 - 1950 printed corpus and produce metadata in original scripts and Romanisation.
- Submit before the deadline: Complete the Chevening application by 27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC. Late applications are not accepted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC.
Who can apply?
Only mid-career professionals (or eligible PhD candidates) who are citizens of and resident in Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand.
Is the fellowship funded?
Yes. Living expenses, return economy airfare, an activity allowance, and up to £1,000 for approved project costs are included.
Where does the fellowship take place?
On-site at the British Library in London for 12 months, from September 2027 to September 2028.
Which languages are required?
Excellent written and spoken knowledge of Thai, Lao, and Khmer - or excellent Thai plus either Lao or Khmer - and good English.
