AIA Launches New BAFA Academic Research Grants for 2026
AIA has announced a new funding initiative for members of the British Accounting and Finance Association supporting high-quality academic research in the accountancy profession.
Funded by the AIA Educational & Benevolent Trust (AIA EBT), the programme will provide four academic research grants of £2,500 in 2026. The grants are available to BAFA members and AIA Academic Members and are designed to encourage research that informs professional practice, education and policy, including in areas of sustainability, artificial intelligence, and ethics.
The initiative was formally launched at Ulster University by AIA Chief Executive Philip Turnbull and Professor Joan Ballantine, President of BAFA.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Applicants or lead researchers must be AIA Academic Fellow Members.
- Applicants or lead researchers must be members of the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA).
- Grants are available for research, at postdoctoral or equivalent level, in the field of accountancy and related subjects. Equivalent experience may include holding, or having held, an established post, having a record of publications in the field and/or having teaching experience.
- Postgraduate students are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands (that is, classed as ‘ordinarily resident’ for tax purposes) or currently employed overseas by a recognised UK overseas research organisation.
- Whilst co-applicants must fulfil all the other eligibility criteria, they are able to be based anywhere in the world.
UK research organisations based overseas may apply to be recognised by demonstrating that they satisfy both the following conditions:
- Organisations which are, or which are constituent parts of, charities registered with the Charity Commission; and
- Which must be able to demonstrate an independent capability to undertake research in the field or discipline in which they wish to be funded, and to lead the research for which funding is received.