Grant opportunity
British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh
The British Council and the University of Edinburgh are offering up to two 12-month postdoctoral fellowships for researchers based in eligible ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates.
- Funder
- British Council / University of Edinburgh
- Application deadline
- Application deadline: Jul 31, 2026
- Award
- GBP 2,500 per month plus travel expenses and institutional support
- Applicant
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Discipline
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Region
- Global
- Posted
- May 23, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The fellowships will begin in January 2027 at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh. Fellows spend ten months at IASH and up to two months in their home country or region focused on knowledge exchange and dissemination with the British Council.
Who can apply
- Applicants must be based in an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates and be qualified to undertake postdoctoral-level research.
- Applicants must have completed their viva or defense, including required corrections, by the application deadline.
- The fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers within seven years of PhD completion, with particular welcome for candidates without prior undergraduate or postgraduate education in the UK or another non-ODA recipient country.
What it supports
- Research aligned with the British Council's aim of supporting peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
- Knowledge exchange, dissemination, and engagement with British Council objectives during and after the Edinburgh-based fellowship period.
Funding and duration
The fellowship provides a bursary of GBP 2,500 per month, travel expenses, desk space, library access, and academic mentoring.
Application deadline
Application deadline: Jul 31, 2026
How to apply
Follow the application guidance linked from the official British Council and IASH pages and submit by 31 July 2026 at 23:59 UK time.
Call details
About the opportunity
The fellowships will begin in January 2027 at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh. Fellows spend ten months at IASH and up to two months in their home country or region focused on knowledge exchange and dissemination with the British Council.
British Council / University of Edinburgh lists this opportunity for Postdoctoral researchers, Humanities & Social Sciences, Global.
This listing is written for researchers, students, universities, NGOs, research teams, policy professionals and academic institutions searching for Humanities & Social Sciences grants, fellowships, scholarships, conferences, workshops and funding opportunities in Global contexts.
Eligibility
Applicants must be based in an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates and be qualified to undertake postdoctoral-level research.
Applicants must have completed their viva or defense, including required corrections, by the application deadline.
The fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers within seven years of PhD completion, with particular welcome for candidates without prior undergraduate or postgraduate education in the UK or another non-ODA recipient country.
Funding and benefits
The fellowship provides a bursary of GBP 2,500 per month, travel expenses, desk space, library access, and academic mentoring.
Themes and supported activities
Research aligned with the British Council's aim of supporting peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
Knowledge exchange, dissemination, and engagement with British Council objectives during and after the Edinburgh-based fellowship period.
Deadline and timeline
Application deadline: Application deadline: Jul 31, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Follow the application guidance linked from the official British Council and IASH pages and submit by 31 July 2026 at 23:59 UK time.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.