The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh fund early-career researchers with a fully funded 12-month postdoctoral placement at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH). The cycle that funded fellowships beginning January 2027 has now closed — applications ran from 5 May 2026 to 31 July 2026, confirmed on IASH’s own official page.
This is a genuine, ongoing three-year partnership (2025–2027) between the British Council and the University of Edinburgh, meaning a further cohort may follow depending on whether the partnership is renewed beyond 2027 — worth checking IASH’s page directly for an announcement. This guide covers what to prepare now if a future cycle opens.
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British Council Research Fellowships Summary
| Fellowship Name ⇒ | British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships |
| Host Country ⇒ | United Kingdom |
| Host Institution ⇒ | University of Edinburgh (Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities) |
| Category ⇒ | Postdoctoral Research Fellowship |
| Duration ⇒ | 12 months |
| Rewards ⇒ | £2,500/month bursary, travel expenses, office space, library access, academic mentorship |
| Application Status ⇒ | Closed. The 2027 cohort cycle ran 5 May – 31 July 2026. Check IASH’s official page directly for news of a future cycle. |
About the Fellowship
Up to two 12-month postdoctoral fellowships are awarded each year under this partnership, which the British Council and IASH describe as commemorating the British Council’s 90th anniversary in 2024, running across three annual cohorts from 2025 through 2027. Fellows spend the first ten months of the fellowship based at IASH in Edinburgh, followed by up to two months back in their home country or region, focused on knowledge exchange and dissemination in collaboration with the British Council.
Research must align with the British Council’s mission — building trust and connection between the UK and countries worldwide — with priority given to work in the arts, education, language, international relations, international peacebuilding, and cultural diplomacy. This is explicitly not a fellowship for science research: fields like chemistry, medicine, or engineering aren’t eligible, though interdisciplinary areas like medical humanities or the history of science are welcome.
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Eligibility Requirements
To apply, when a future cycle opens, you’ll need to:
- Be based in an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates
- Have completed your PhD within the last seven years — time away from academia for parental leave or similar reasons doesn’t count against this limit, though you’ll need to briefly explain the gap
- Have a research topic aligned with the British Council’s priority areas listed above
- Not currently or previously hold a permanent university position, and not have held a previous IASH Fellowship — temporary, recurring, or short-term roles remain eligible
Eligible countries have included Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe for the most recent cycle — confirm the current list directly on the British Council’s own fellowship page if a future cycle is announced, since eligible countries can shift between cycles.
What the Fellowship Covers
- A bursary of £2,500 per month for 12 months
- Travel expenses to and from the UK
- Dedicated office space and full library access at IASH
- Academic mentorship from University of Edinburgh faculty
- Access to IASH’s community of visiting fellows throughout the fellowship year
Documents to Prepare in Advance
- An updated CV
- A cover letter
- A completed application form
- A research proposal aligned with the British Council’s priority areas
- Your PhD transcript, testamur, or a letter confirming completion
- At least two reference letters — referees email these directly to [email protected], and one referee must specifically confirm your successful PhD viva and final examination
How to Prepare for a Future Cycle
- Check IASH’s official fellowship page periodically for an announcement of a new cycle beyond 2027
- Confirm your eligibility now, particularly the seven-year post-PhD window and your country’s ODA-recipient status
- Identify a proposed mentor at the University of Edinburgh in advance — your named primary mentor must be based at Edinburgh specifically; listing someone from another institution disqualifies your application
- Draft your research proposal now, ensuring it aligns clearly with the British Council’s stated priority areas
- Gather your CV, cover letter, and PhD completion documents ahead of time, and identify your two referees early
- If a webinar is held for a future cycle, attend or register for the recording — IASH and the British Council held one for the 2027 cohort, and a similar session is likely for future rounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the British Council Research Fellowship at Edinburgh still open?
No. The cycle funding fellowships from January to December 2027 closed on 31 July 2026. Check IASH’s official page directly for news of a future cycle.
How many fellowships are awarded each year?
Up to two 12-month postdoctoral fellowships per annual cohort, as part of a three-year partnership running from 2025 through 2027.
Can science researchers apply for this fellowship?
No. This fellowship is specifically for humanities and related fields — arts, education, language, international relations, peacebuilding, and cultural diplomacy. Chemistry, medicine, and engineering aren’t eligible, though interdisciplinary areas like medical humanities or history of science are welcome.
What happens if my referees don’t submit their letters on time?
Your application cannot be considered. Referees must email their letters directly to [email protected] before the deadline — this is a strict requirement, not a formality.
Do I need a mentor already lined up at the University of Edinburgh before applying?
Yes. Your primary proposed mentor must be based at the University of Edinburgh specifically. Naming a mentor from another institution disqualifies your application.
Disclaimer: All fellowship details were verified directly against the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and the British Council’s official pages as of August 2026. The most recent cycle has closed — always confirm current status directly on IASH’s official fellowship page before assuming a new cycle has opened.
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