British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh
Through our partnership with the British Council, we are awarding up to two 12-month postdoctoral fellowships for international early-career researchers in 2027. Applicants must submit their portfolios by 31 July 2026.
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We are delighted to be awarding up to two 12-month Postdoctoral Fellowships, starting in January 2027, at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh.
Applications are open to postdoctoral researchers based in any ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates, from Albania to Zimbabwe (see the Fellowship webpage for the full list).
Fellows will spend the first ten months of their Fellowships at IASH, followed by up to two months based in their home countries or regions focused on knowledge exchange and dissemination in collaboration with the British Council.
The Fellowship provides a bursary of £2,500 per month and travel expenses as well as desk space, library access and academic mentoring as part of the vibrant scholarly community of visiting fellows at IASH. Fellows will also be expected to engage closely with the British Council throughout their Fellowships, both in the UK and in their home country or region, as part of the knowledge exchange component of the Fellowship.
Subject focus and eligibility
These Fellowships are intended to support research that is aligned with the overarching vision of the British Council (“a more peaceful and prosperous world built on trust”) and the purpose outlined in their strategy: We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
Research topics should be relevant to the areas of priority across Arts, Education and the English language that are outlined in the strategy, and to areas of cross-cutting strategic British Council interest such as international relations and soft power, international development and peace building, and cultural relations and cultural diplomacy.
Within this broad thematic remit, the specific research focus of each Fellowship can be shaped by the expertise and interests of the applicant. However, Fellowship proposals should include plans for outputs that are relevant to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice, and which have potential to advance knowledge or engage stakeholders or audiences in the Fellow’s home country or region.
Interested? Join our online Q&A to find out more
The British Council and IASH are holding an online Q&A webinar on Tuesday 26 May 2026 from 14:00-15:00 UK time on Teams Webinar. You can register to attend here, and a recording will be made available afterwards. Prospective Fellowship applicants are encouraged to register for this session even if they cannot attend ‘live’ as this will give them access to the recording.
Application and fellowship timetable
May 5 at 10:00 UK time Application window opens
May 26 at 14:00 UK time Q&A webinar
July 31 at 23:59 UK time Application deadline
By end of September 2026 Selection of candidates
January 2027 Fellowships start date
January - October 2027 Fellowships are undertaken at IASH, University of Edinburgh
November – December 2027 Knowledge exchange and dissemination with British Council
Further details and how to apply
Please visit the Fellowship webpage for full application guidelines, detailed eligibility criteria, and details of the Bursary and other support provided as part of the Fellowship.
Any questions?
Please contact researchglobal@britishcouncil.org