Category I
Definition: Researchers, of whatever nationality, resident in the UK or working abroad for a UK academic institution, or researchers directing a project that is based formally and demonstrably in the UK.
Eligibility: Fully eligible for awards.

Category II
Definition: Academics based in the countries in which the BIAA operates who are internationally recognised as operating within the British academic research community, whose projects are clearly recognised as British, where alternative sources of funding are problematic and where there are deep links between the project and researchers based in the UK. The research must explicitly benefit the interests of the BIAA and be seen to do so in the country concerned.
Eligibility: Academics in this category are only eligible for awards if all of the criteria are met and ought to expect them to be rigorously examined. Issues such as the stability of the project and BIAA control over the project (e.g. what expectations accompany it in the host country) will also need consideration.

Category III
Definition: Long-term projects which are initially funded under category I or II, but where the researcher ceases to belong to that category during the life-time of the project (e.g. moves to a new job outside the UK).
Eligibility: As a responsible funder, the BIAA retains an interest in ensuring appropriate completion of the project. Multi-year projects will be operating under a plan of, at maximum, 5 years and in normal circumstances will work to ensure a progressive handover of both funding and academic sponsorship during the period of the current plan. How this is done will be based on individual circumstances but might involve a reduction in funding as new funding sources are exploited or initiatives to identify new UK co-researchers. Handing over explicit academic sponsorship may be equally significant in liaising with authorities in the host country. Research which falls into this category will, therefore, not cease to be eligible for funding but the BIAA will normally follow a policy of disengagement.

Category IV
Definition: Some research may be carried out by non-UK researchers but remain in the interests of the BIAA. An example might be publication of important backlog material, where allowing funding of a non-UK specialist might significantly assist in the BIAA fulfilling other academic responsibilities.
Eligibility: This will need to be judged on a case by case basis, but the eligibility threshold needs to be high. The benefit to the BIAA must be very explicit, funding levels would normally be relatively low and links to British research interests might be expected.