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University of Edinburgh

British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2026 – Fully Funded Postdoctoral Opportunity at the University of Edinburgh

Scholarship
UK
On-site
Published May 28, 2025

Overview

Applicants must have completed a PhD by the time of application.

The PhD must have been awarded within the last 7 years (2018 to 2025).

Description

Applicants must have completed a PhD by the time of application.

The PhD must have been awarded within the last 7 years (2018 to 2025).

Candidates who had career breaks (e.g., parental leave, health issues) may still be eligible beyond the 7-year window.

Those without a permanent university position are eligible.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Hold a PhD degree completed within the last 7 years (2018–2025)
Be a citizen of an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates (e.g. Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Indonesia, etc.)
Not hold a permanent academic position or have held a previous IASH Fellowship
Have a demonstrated commitment to knowledge exchange and public engagement
Research proposals should align with British Council priorities in arts, education, English language, soft power, peacebuilding, and international relations

Additional Information

Postdoctoral Level

Applicants must have completed a PhD by the time of application.
The PhD must have been awarded within the last 7 years (2018 to 2025).
Candidates who had career breaks (e.g., parental leave, health issues) may still be eligible beyond the 7-year window.
Those without a permanent university position are eligible.

Eligible Subjects And Research Areas

The fellowship supports research broadly within the Humanities and Social Sciences , with priority given to themes aligned with the British Council’s strategic interests , including:

Arts and Humanities
Education and English Language
Cultural Diplomacy and Cultural Relations
Peacebuilding and International Development
Soft Power and Global Engagement
International Relations and Global Policy
Cross-cultural communication and global understanding
Peace and conflict resolution studies
Language policy and English language learning
Cultural heritage, identity, and migration
Educational access and global learning equity
Media, digital humanities, and civic engagement
Global partnerships and sustainable development
Note: The research proposal must have relevance to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice and include plans for local knowledge exchange in your country.

Benefits

£2,500 monthly stipend for 12 months
Travel costs covered
10 months residency at the University of Edinburgh
Up to 2 months knowledge exchange in your home country
Full access to library, office space, and university email
Dedicated academic mentor at the university
Weekly networking Fellows’ Lunch
Opportunity to host funded events, colloquia, and seminars

Eligible Nationalities

Applicants from the following British Council partner countries are eligible:

Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa
Ukraine, Tunisia, Vietnam, Jordan, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Full list available in the official guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Hold a PhD degree completed within the last 7 years (2018–2025)
Be a citizen of an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates (e.g. Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Indonesia, etc.)
Not hold a permanent academic position or have held a previous IASH Fellowship
Have a demonstrated commitment to knowledge exchange and public engagement
Research proposals should align with British Council priorities in arts, education, English language, soft power, peacebuilding, and international relations

Key Dates And Application Timeline

29 April 2025 – Application portal opens
23 May 2025 – Applicant webinar (register at bc90webinar.eventbrite.co.uk )
28 July 2025 (23:59 UK Time) – Application deadline
End of August 2025 – Selection of successful candidates
January 2026 – Fellowship officially begins
January to October 2026 – Residential research at IASH, University of Edinburgh
November to December 2026 – Knowledge exchange and dissemination in home country

How To Apply

Applicants must submit:

Application form (available online)
Detailed CV
Research proposal (aligned with British Council objectives)
Cover letter explaining how the Fellowship supports British Council goals
Two to three reference letters, including one confirming PhD completion
All supporting documents must be emailed to: iash@ed.ac.uk

What Makes This Fellowship Unique

This programme not only supports high-quality humanities and social science research but also fosters international collaboration, capacity building, and academic networking. Fellows will actively engage with British Council offices, both in the UK and in their home countries, bridging the gap between research and real-world impact.

Why You Should Apply

If you are an early-career researcher passionate about global education, peace, and cultural understanding, this Fellowship offers a world-class platform to amplify your research, engage with global networks, and contribute to sustainable development in your home country.

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Funding

Fully Funded

Organization

University of Edinburgh

Degree

Fellowship

Subjects

All Subjects

Nationality

International Students

Country

UK

Source

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