The British Academy, established by Royal Charter in 1902, is the national academy for the humanities and the social sciences. It is an independent, self-governing fellowship of more than 800 scholars, elected for distinction and achievement in one or more branches of the academic disciplines that make up the humanities and social sciences. The Academy supports postdoctoral research in the humanities and social sciences through its research grants schemes, promoting relations between researchers in the UK and overseas, and recognising distinction in scholarship. It runs a varied programme of events, and has an active publications programme. It also engages with and advises on major policy issues in the higher education sector.