British Council 90th Anniversary Postdoctoral Research Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh 2026

If you're an early-career researcher from an Official Development Assistance (ODA)-recipient country and aspire to advance your postdoctoral research in the UK, the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh present a remarkable opportunity. Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort, offering a 12-month fully funded fellowship hosted by the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH). This program is designed to support research aligned with the British Council's mission of fostering international trust and prosperity through cultural and educational exchange.

---

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom

• Host Institution: Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), University of Edinburgh

• Academic Level: Postdoctoral (Early Career Researchers)

• Target Group: Researchers from ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates

• Fields of Research: Arts, Education, English Language, International Relations, Soft Power, International Development, Peacebuilding, Cultural Relations, Cultural Diplomacy

• Value & Funding:

  • £2,500 monthly bursary for 12 months

  • Travel expenses

  • Dedicated office space, university email, and library access

  • Academic mentorship

• Duration: 12 months (10 months in Edinburgh, 2 months in home country)

• Application Deadline: 28 July 2025, 23:59 UK time

• Start Date: January 2026

• Eligible Applicants: PhD holders (within the last 7 years) from ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates

---

📚 Fellowship Overview

The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowship is a collaborative initiative between the British Council and IASH at the University of Edinburgh. This three-year partnership (2025–2027) aims to support early-career researchers in conducting postdoctoral research that contributes to the British Council's strategic objectives.

Fellows will spend the first ten months at IASH, engaging in independent research within a vibrant scholarly community. The final two months will be dedicated to knowledge exchange and dissemination activities in the fellow's home country, in collaboration with the British Council.

Research topics should align with the British Council's priorities, including but not limited to arts, education, English language, international relations, soft power, international development, peacebuilding, cultural relations, and cultural diplomacy. Proposals should demonstrate potential for policy impact and stakeholder engagement in the applicant's home country or region.

---

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

• Financial Support:

  • £2,500 monthly bursary for 12 months

  • Coverage of travel expenses

• Academic Resources:

  • Dedicated office space at IASH

  • University email and full library access

  • Mentorship from University of Edinburgh faculty

• Professional Development:

  • Participation in weekly Fellows’ Lunches

  • Involvement in work-in-progress seminars

  • Opportunities to organize and participate in workshops and colloquia

• Networking Opportunities:

  • Engagement with British Council staff and programs

  • Potential visits to British Council offices in the UK and home country

---

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Citizens of ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates

• Academic Qualification: PhD awarded within the last seven years (2018–2025)

  • Exceptions made for career breaks (e.g., parental leave)

• Research Alignment: Proposals must align with the British Council's thematic priorities

• Residency: Applicants should not have held a permanent academic position or a previous fellowship at IASH

• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English sufficient to conduct research and participate in academic activities

---

📝 Application Procedure

• Application Portal Opens: 29 April 2025

• Applicant Webinar: 23 May 2025 at 13:00 UK time

• Application Deadline: 28 July 2025 at 23:59 UK time

• Selection Notification: By end of August 2025

• Fellowship Commencement: January 2026

📂 Required Documents:

1. Completed application form

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Research proposal (maximum 2,000 words)

4. Cover letter detailing how the fellowship will support the British Council's objectives

5. Two to three confidential references

   • One referee must confirm successful PhD completion

📬 Submission Instructions:

• Complete the online application form through the IASH portal.

• Email any additional supporting documents to iash@ed.ac.uk.

• Ensure that referees send their letters directly to iash@ed.ac.uk by the application deadline.

🔗 OFFICIAL LINK

British Council 90th Anniversary Postdoctoral Research Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh 2026

---