BRITISH COUNCIL AND THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES IN THE HUMANITIES (IASH), UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships
full · phd
- £2,500 / monthMonthly stipend
- 12 monthsFellowship duration
- 10 months in EdinburghResidency period
- Up to 2 months at homeKnowledge exchange
- Travel fully coveredTravel support
- PhD within 7 yearsEligibility window
At a glance
full
Funding
€35k
Max amount
Jul 28, 2026
Deadline
ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Ukraine, Tunisia, Vietnam, Jordan, Uganda and Zimbabwe (full list on the official page)
Country
British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), University of Edinburgh
Provider
The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships fund a 12-month postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, delivered jointly by the British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH). The fellowship is built around a period of residency in Edinburgh of 10 months plus up to 2 months of knowledge exchange in the fellow's home country, and it supports research in the humanities and social sciences linked to themes such as international development, peacebuilding, cultural diplomacy, and education. Funding is paid as a monthly stipend of GBP 2,500 for 12 months, with travel expenses fully covered. Fellows also receive an academic mentor, full access to university facilities including library and office space, weekly fellows' networking lunches, and support to host funded academic events. Eligibility is limited to early-career researchers who completed a PhD within the last seven years and who are citizens of an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates, and proposals must connect to Official Development Assistance and include home-country knowledge exchange. Confirm the current stipend, eligible countries, and deadline on the official IASH page before applying.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A stipend of ~£2,500 (est.) per month paid for the full 12 months of the fellowship.
- Travel expenses — Travel costs between the fellow's home country and Edinburgh fully covered for the residency and knowledge-exchange phases.
- University facilities — Full access to University of Edinburgh facilities including the library, office space, and a university email account.
- Academic mentorship — A dedicated academic mentor at IASH plus weekly fellows' networking lunches throughout the residency.
- Event funding — Opportunities to organise and host funded academic events such as workshops and seminars during the fellowship.
How to apply
Applications are made by submitting a complete document set by email to IASH at the University of Edinburgh before the published deadline.
- Check eligibility and themes — Confirm your PhD date, nationality, and that your research connects to ODA and the fellowship's priority themes.
- Develop your research proposal — Write a research proposal aligned with British Council themes and including concrete plans for home-country knowledge exchange.
- Prepare supporting documents — Assemble a detailed CV, a cover letter explaining your fit, and two to three reference letters, including one confirming PhD completion.
- Submit your application by email — Email the completed application form and all documents to the IASH address before the deadline (11:59 PM UK time).
- Attend the applicant webinar (optional) — Join the applicant webinar in advance to clarify expectations and strengthen your application before submitting.
Eligibility
QualificationA PhD completed within the last seven years (roughly 2019 to 2026), with extensions possible for documented career breaks such as parental leave or health.
NationalityMust be a citizen of an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates, for example Pakistan, India, Nigeria, or Indonesia.
PositionMust not hold a permanent academic position and must not have previously held an IASH Fellowship.
Research scopeThe proposal must relate to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice and include plans for knowledge exchange in the home country.
Priority is given to research in the humanities and social sciences linked to themes such as cultural diplomacy, peacebuilding, education, and international development.
Eligible countries
ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Ukraine, Tunisia, Vietnam, Jordan, Uganda and Zimbabwe (full list on the official page)
Deadlines
2026/2027 fellowship cohort~28 July 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are reviewed by the British Council and IASH on the quality and originality of the research proposal, its relevance to Official Development Assistance and the priority themes, the strength of the planned knowledge exchange in the home country, the applicant's track record relative to career stage, and the quality of the cover letter and references. Successful candidates are selected from the strongest early-career applicants whose work promises real-world development impact.
Verified sources
- British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships (IASH)iash.ed.ac.ukofficial
- British Council main websitebritishcouncil.orgofficial
About the provider
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, founded in 1934 and operating in more than 100 countries. The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh, established in 1969, hosts visiting fellows from around the world for interdisciplinary research.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who funds the 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships?
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They are a collaboration between the British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh.
How long is the fellowship?
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It is a 12-month postdoctoral fellowship, with 10 months of residency in Edinburgh and up to 2 months of knowledge exchange in the home country.
What does the fellowship pay?
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It provides a stipend of about ~£2,500 (est.) per month for 12 months, plus fully covered travel expenses.
Who is eligible by nationality?
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Citizens of ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates, such as Pakistan, India, Nigeria, and Indonesia.
How recent must my PhD be?
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Your PhD should have been completed within the last seven years (about 2019 to 2026), with extensions possible for documented career breaks.
What research areas are supported?
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Humanities and social sciences research linked to themes like international development, peacebuilding, cultural diplomacy, education, and global policy.
Can I apply if I have a permanent academic job?
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No. Applicants must not hold a permanent academic position, and must not have previously held an IASH Fellowship.
Does my proposal need a development focus?
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Yes. It must relate to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice and include plans for knowledge exchange in your home country.
How do I submit my application?
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You email the completed application form and all supporting documents to IASH at the University of Edinburgh before the deadline.
What documents are required?
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An application form, a detailed CV, a research proposal, a cover letter, and two to three reference letters including one confirming PhD completion.
When does the fellowship start?
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The fellowship typically starts in January (about January 2027, est.), following an application deadline in late July.
Where can I confirm the official details?
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On the official IASH page for the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships, which lists eligible countries, the stipend, and the binding deadline.