British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships in Arts, Education, English Language, International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy (Postdoctoral) University of Edinburgh in United Kingdom

British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh (Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, IASH) are open for postdoctoral researchers from eligible ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates.

The call offers up to two 12-month fellowships starting in January 2027. Fellows spend the first 10 months at IASH in Edinburgh and the final 2 months in their home country/region focused on knowledge exchange and dissemination with the British Council.

Research areas include Arts, Education, English Language, and cross-cutting themes such as International Relations, Soft Power, Peace Building, Cultural Relations, and Cultural Diplomacy. Proposals should be relevant to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice and should have clear potential impact in the fellow’s home country or region.

Eligibility highlights: applicants must hold a PhD (normally completed within the last 7 years, with career breaks considered), be based in an eligible ODA-recipient country, and be qualified for postdoctoral research. Applicants should not have held a permanent university position or a previous IASH fellowship. The call especially welcomes researchers who have not studied in the UK or other non-ODA countries.

Funding: £2,500 per month bursary for 12 months, plus travel expenses, desk space, library access, and academic mentoring.

Deadline: 31 July 2026 at 17:00 BST.

How to apply: use the IASH application portal and submit the required application form, CV, research proposal, and cover letter. Additional supporting documents should be emailed to [email protected].