British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2027 at the University of Edinburgh: Fully Funded 12-Month Fellowship for Early-Career Researchers from ODA Countries

The British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities have officially opened applications for the prestigious British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2027 at the The University of Edinburgh.

This exceptional international fellowship opportunity is designed for early-career postdoctoral researchers from eligible ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates. The programme offers selected fellows the opportunity to spend ten months conducting advanced research at the University of Edinburgh, followed by up to two months in their home country focused on knowledge exchange and dissemination activities.

The fellowship provides generous financial support, including a bursary of £2,500 per month for 12 months, travel expenses, office space, library access, mentoring, networking opportunities, and collaboration with one of the world’s leading humanities research communities.

This initiative forms part of a three-year partnership running from 2025 to 2027 between the British Council and IASH, established to celebrate the British Council’s 90th anniversary and strengthen international academic collaboration, research capacity, and knowledge exchange.

About the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships

The British Council celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024. To commemorate this milestone, the organization partnered with the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh to create an international fellowship programme for promising early-career researchers.

The programme supports research aligned with the British Council’s broader mission of building:

• Peace
• Prosperity
• International trust
• Cross-cultural understanding
• Global cooperation

The British Council states that its purpose is:
“To support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.”

The fellowship therefore seeks projects capable of contributing to:

• International development
• Cultural diplomacy
• Peace building
• International relations
• Soft power
• Arts and humanities research
• Educational development
• English language studies

Fellowship Duration and Structure

Selected fellows will participate in a 12-month programme beginning in January 2027.

The fellowship structure includes:

Phase 1: Residential Research at the University of Edinburgh

• Duration: January to October 2027
• Location: Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), University of Edinburgh
• Activities:
  • Independent research
  • Academic collaboration
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Networking
  • Engagement with British Council teams

Phase 2: Knowledge Exchange in Home Country

• Duration: November to December 2027
• Activities:
  • Dissemination of research findings
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Collaboration with local British Council offices
  • Policy or public engagement activities

This structure allows fellows to strengthen both international academic connections and local impact within their home countries.

Fellowship Benefits

The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowship offers comprehensive academic and financial support.

Benefits include:

Financial Benefits

1. £2,500 monthly bursary for 12 months
2. Travel expenses coverage
3. Support for international research mobility

Academic Benefits

1. Dedicated office space
2. University email access
3. Full library access
4. Academic mentoring
5. Participation in seminars and workshops
6. Opportunities to organize funded academic events

Professional Networking Opportunities

1. Weekly Fellows’ Lunch community sessions
2. Work-in-progress seminar series
3. Interaction with leading scholars
4. Networking with British Council staff
5. International academic collaboration opportunities

Research Environment

The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities offers:

• A historic scholarly environment
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Quiet research spaces
• A vibrant visiting fellows community
• Access to world-class research resources

Eligible Research Themes

Research proposals should align with the British Council’s strategic priorities.

Eligible themes may include:

• Arts and culture
• Education
• English language
• International relations
• Cultural diplomacy
• International development
• Peace building
• Soft power
• Humanities research
• Cross-cultural engagement

Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative and interdisciplinary projects.

Importantly, fellowship proposals should also demonstrate:

• Relevance to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice
• Potential impact in the applicant’s home country or region
• Plans for public engagement or stakeholder dissemination

Fellowship Objectives

Applicants must explain in their cover letter how their fellowship will contribute to the programme’s objectives, including:

1. Generating new knowledge that supports British Council strategy
2. Expanding diverse global research perspectives
3. Supporting international research capacity building
4. Strengthening UK-international research partnerships
5. Promoting knowledge exchange
6. Increasing visibility and application of research outputs
7. Supporting the UK research and development agenda

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be based in ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates.

Eligible countries include:

• 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
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Philippines
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Türkiye
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan
• Venezuela
• Viet Nam
• Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

Academic Requirements

• Must hold a PhD
• Doctorate should normally have been completed within the last seven years
• Career breaks such as parental leave may be considered

Applicants who have not formally graduated may still apply if:

• Their viva examination has been successfully completed
• All thesis corrections have been finalized
• They can provide proof of completion

Employment Restrictions

Applicants:

• Must not have held a permanent university position
• Must not previously have held an IASH fellowship

However:

• Temporary or short-term academic employment is allowed

Additional Expectations

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate strong academic achievement
• Show commitment to knowledge exchange
• Engage non-academic audiences
• Connect with University of Edinburgh researchers before applying
• Demonstrate relevance to the Edinburgh research community

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by a panel from the University of Edinburgh and the British Council.

Selection criteria include:

1. Academic and professional background
2. Quality of research proposal
3. Relevance to programme themes
4. Potential impact and dissemination
5. Experience engaging public or policy audiences
6. Commitment to long-term knowledge exchange

Application Timeline

Applicants should carefully note the official timeline:

• Application Portal Opens: 5 May 2026
• Applicant Webinar: 26 May 2026
• Application Deadline: 31 July 2026 at 17:00 BST
• Selection Results: By end of September 2026
• Fellowship Start Date: January 2027

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

• Completed application form
• CV
• Research proposal
• Cover letter
• Two to three confidential references

One referee must confirm successful PhD completion.

All supporting documents should be emailed to:

• iash@ed.ac.uk

Important Fellowship Conditions

Applicants should understand the following conditions:

• The fellowship begins only in January 2027
• No alternative start dates are allowed
• Fellows must reside at IASH during the 10-month residential phase
• Fellows must participate actively in institute activities
• Fellows must deliver at least one seminar presentation
• Fellows must submit a final research report

No regular teaching duties are required.

Webinar Opportunity for Applicants

Interested applicants can attend an online Q&A webinar organized by the British Council and IASH.

Webinar Date:

• 26 May 2026

This session will help applicants better understand:

• Fellowship expectations
• Eligibility requirements
• Application preparation
• Research alignment with programme objectives

 

Final Thoughts

The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2027 provide an outstanding fully funded opportunity for early-career postdoctoral researchers from eligible ODA-recipient countries.

With generous financial support, world-class academic resources, mentorship, and international networking opportunities at the University of Edinburgh, the fellowship offers a powerful platform for advancing impactful global research.

Researchers working in areas related to arts, education, international development, cultural diplomacy, peace building, and humanities should strongly consider applying before the deadline.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply through the official application portal and ensure all documents and references are submitted before the deadline.

 

Apply here

Learn More

• For more information about this opportunity, Click here
• More global Fellowship opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here