The British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh are offering two prestigious, fully funded 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships. These 12-month postdoctoral fellowships, beginning in January 2026, are available to early-career researchers from Official Development Assistance (ODA)-recipient countries. The fellowship promotes international scholarly collaboration and knowledge exchange through research placed at the intersection of arts, humanities, education, and cultural relations.
Since the fellowship is part of a three-year 90th Anniversary partnership (2025–2027), this round represents the second cohort of awardees, and applications for January 2027 will follow in due course. The program is open to PhD holders who completed their degrees within the last seven years and who are based in an eligible ODA country for the duration of the application.
About the Fellowship
Scholarship: British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowship 2026
University: University of Edinburgh (Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities)
Country: United Kingdom
Degree Level: Postdoctoral Fellowship
Duration: 12 months (10 months in Edinburgh; up to 2 months in home country)
Monthly Bursary: £2,500
Deadline: 26 July 2025 (17:00 BST)
Apply Via: [IASH Official Fellowship Portal]
The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowship offers a unique experience by combining ten months of research residence at IASH, University of Edinburgh, with up to two months of field-based outreach in the fellow’s home country. This dual structure facilitates both high-level academic engagement in the UK and knowledge exchange back home.
Fellows will benefit from:
- A bursary of £2,500 per month
- Coverage of travel expenses
- Access to office space, a university email address, and library resources at IASH
- Academic mentoring from IASH staff
- Engagement with a vibrant community of visiting international researchers
Fellows will be expected to collaborate with the British Council throughout their tenure, which may include visits to British Council offices in the UK and their home countries.
Financial Coverage and Benefits
The fellowship provides a comprehensive support package designed to ensure participants can focus entirely on their research and outreach:
- Monthly Bursary: £2,500 for 12 months
- Travel Expenses: Fully covered for travel to Edinburgh and return to the home country
- Research Facilities: Dedicated workspace, computing and network access, and IASH library privileges
- Mentorship: Assigned academic mentors and integration into the IASH community’s weekly seminars and events
- Community Engagement Funds: Resources to support participation in research colloquia, workshops, and events within Edinburgh and abroad
Cumulatively, the fellowship supports both academic activity and public knowledge exchange, creating a dual impact in the UK and in fellows’ home countries.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Residency: Must be based and working in an ODA-eligible country where British Council operates at the time of application and decision announcement
- PhD Completion: Must have earned a doctoral degree within the last seven years (accounting for career breaks)
- Research Focus: Must propose research that aligns with British Council priorities in arts, education, English language, or cultural diplomacy, including cross-cutting themes like international relations, peacebuilding, and soft power
- Professional Engagement: Must demonstrate a commitment to engaging non-academic audiences, such as policy-makers, educators, or community groups
Countries currently eligible include (but are not limited to):
Albania, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and others listed in British Council documentation
Research Themes
The fellowship is open to a wide range of study topics, provided that proposals:
- Advance knowledge in British Council priority areas (arts, education, cultural relations)
- Include outputs or dissemination plans relevant to Official Development Assistance (ODA)-based initiatives
- Demonstrate potential for long-term impact in the fellow’s home country or region
Examples of suitable projects may include:
- Arts-based peacebuilding in conflict-affected regions
- Education initiatives supporting disadvantaged communities
- Research on cultural diplomacy effectiveness
- Sociolinguistic studies relating to English language in development contexts
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following:
- Online Application Form (via IASH website)
- Cover Letter explaining how the fellowship supports British Council strategic objectives
- Research Proposal (up to 2,000 words) aligned with fellowship goals
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Two–Three References: Confidential letters to be sent directly by referees by the deadline
- Evidence of PhD completion, including any applicable documentation for career breaks
Ensure referees forward their confidential reports to iash@ed.ac.uk before the deadline.
Related:
- RIFS Fellows Program Germany 2026 (Fully Funded)
- KUT Japan Special Scholarship Program 2026 (Fully Funded)
- Flinders University Scholarships 2025 RTP
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: 29 April 2025
- Informational Webinar: Date to be confirmed (similar to May 2024 sessions)
- Application Deadline: 26 July 2025 (17:00 BST)
- Selection Outcome: Notifications September 2025
- Fellowship Commencement: January 2026
- Residency Period: January–October 2026 (10 months in Edinburgh, up to 2 months in home country)
How to Apply
- Prepare Application Materials: Cover letter, proposal, CV, PhD evidence, referee contacts
- Submit Online: Visit the IASH application portal (British Council 90th Anniversary section)
- Official portal available from 29 April 2025
- Ensure referees send references by the 26 July deadline
- Attend Webinar / Q&A: Dates TBC — recommended to engage early
- Await Decision: Shortlisted candidates informed by end of August 2025
- IASH Application Form (British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowship)
→ https://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/application-form iash.ed.ac.uk+15iash.ed.ac.uk+15americas.britishcouncil.org+15
All required materials—including your research proposal, CV, cover letter, and confirmation of PhD completion—should be submitted via this form. Referees must send their confidential references directly to iash@ed.ac.uk by the deadline.
For further details and application instructions, monitor the IASH website from April onward.
This prestigious fellowship offers a rare opportunity for early-career researchers to engage in globally relevant research, receive mentoring from UK scholars, and contribute meaningfully to cultural diplomacy and sustainable development. If your research ambitions align with the fellowship’s objectives, prepare your materials early and apply promptly when the portal opens.