Chevening British Library Southeast Asian Fellowship 2027

Chevening and the British Library invite mid-career professionals from Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand to apply for a 12-month fellowship in London. Fellows research rare early printed works in Khmer, Lao, and Thai. Act quickly, because applications close on 27 October 2026.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: British Library, co-funded with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Funding: Living expenses, return economy airfare, an allowance package, and up to £1,000 for project costs
• Duration: 12 months, from September 2027 to September 2028
• Location: British Library, United Kingdom
• Eligible Countries: Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand
• Deadline: 27 October 2026, 12:00 UTC

Focus Areas

• Early printed works in Khmer, Lao, and Thai
• Metadata and cataloguing
• Conservation and digitisation
• Southeast Asian printing history and book culture

About the Fellowship

Fellows study the library’s early printed works in Cambodian, Lao, and Thai, from about 1840 to 1950. The project covers roughly 600 to 800 items. Fellows write metadata in original scripts and Romanisation. The supervising curator uses it to create catalogue records. The library holds more than 10,000 Thai, Lao, and Khmer books and ephemera.

Many are rare, and about 200 early Thai publications remain uncatalogued. Fellows work with the Henry Ginsburg Curator, Ms Jana Igunma, along with conservation and digital specialists. Their work improves discoverability and informs future conservation and digitisation.

Fellows will also:

• Write a blog post or journal article on their findings
• Give a show-and-tell session or staff presentation
• Join public engagement activities
• Present at a national or international symposium or conference

What Fellows Receive

• A 12-month project at the British Library
• Living expenses for the whole fellowship
• Return economy airfare
• An allowance package for fellowship activities
• Up to £1,000 for approved project expenses
• Training in metadata creation, curatorial practice, and AI-assisted tools
• Professional networks in the UK and abroad

Who Can Apply

Applicants must meet these requirements:

• Be a citizen and resident of Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand
• Hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional training
• Have at least five years of professional or academic research experience
• Be currently employed or enrolled as a PhD candidate, not at a UK, EU, or U.S. university
• Know Thai, Lao, and Khmer well, or Thai plus either Lao or Khmer
• Have good English
• Be willing to learn digital tools, including AI-assisted approaches
• Have experience communicating with non-specialist audiences
• Interest in cataloguing and Southeast Asian printing history is also required. Applicants must meet Chevening’s standard eligibility criteria as well.

How to Apply

Review the eligibility criteria and Chevening’s standard rules. Then submit your application on the Chevening website before the deadline.

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Conclusion

This funded fellowship offers a rare chance to work with unique Southeast Asian collections. Eligible professionals should apply before 27 October 2026.

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