The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2026 offer a prestigious, fully funded opportunity for early-career researchers from Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipient countries. In partnership with the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh, this fellowship allows scholars to explore research that aligns with British Council goals of building trust and promoting global peace and prosperity.
Fellows will spend 10 months in residence at the University of Edinburgh and 2 months in their home countries for knowledge exchange and dissemination. This 12-month postdoctoral fellowship is tailored to support research in the arts, education, English language, and themes like soft power, peacebuilding, and international relations. It’s open to those who completed a PhD within the last 7 years.
This program enables fellows to access world-class resources, collaborate with UK academics, and contribute to British Council programming. The fellowship encourages impactful work that engages public and policy audiences and fosters long-term partnerships between researchers and British Council staff.
Quick Overview of British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2026
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Host Institution: University of Edinburgh (IASH)
- Deadline: July 28, 2025 (11:59 PM UK Time)
- Programs Covered: Research in Arts, Education, English Language, Soft Power, Cultural Diplomacy, etc.
- Value: £2,500 monthly stipend for 12 months, travel support, visa, and NHS surcharge reimbursement
- Age Limit: None specified; PhD must be completed within the last 7 years
- Eligibility: Open to applicants from ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates
Perks of Postdoctoral Fellowships in the UK 2026
- £2,500 monthly bursary (for 12 months)
- Travel expenses and visa fee reimbursement
- Ten months in residence at IASH, University of Edinburgh
- Two months for knowledge exchange in the home country
- Office space, university email, and library access
- Dedicated academic mentor at the University of Edinburgh
- Weekly Fellows’ Lunch and seminar series
- Opportunities to organize and participate in funded events, workshops, and colloquia
Benefits of British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2026
- Work in a world-class research environment
- Collaborate with top scholars and British Council professionals
- Design outputs that engage policy makers, artists, or communities
- Share insights in your home country and foster new partnerships
- Enhance your career with affiliation to a leading university and an international organization
Exclusions of Research Fellowships for International Students 2026
- Not available to researchers in natural sciences or engineering fields not aligned with the humanities or social sciences
- Applicants who have held a permanent university position or a previous IASH fellowship are ineligible
- Applications without a University of Edinburgh mentor or reference letters will not be considered
Eligibility Criteria of the Arts and Education Research Fellowships 2026
- Must be from an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates (e.g., Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, etc.)
- Must have a PhD awarded between 2018 and 2025
- Applicants with PhD completion proof but not yet graduated can apply
- Research should align with British Council themes (arts, education, English, peace, diplomacy)
- Experience engaging non-academic audiences (e.g., through policy, public talks, etc.)
- Commitment to knowledge exchange and collaboration
- Contact must be established with a University of Edinburgh staff member before applying
Important Dates of University of Edinburgh Fellowships in the UK 2026
- Applications Open: April 29, 2025
- Information Webinar: May 23, 2025 (1:00 PM UK Time)
- Application Deadline: July 28, 2025 (11:59 PM UK Time)
- Results Notification: End of August 2025
- Fellowship Start Date: January 2026
- Residential Fellowship at IASH: January to October 2026
- Knowledge Exchange in Home Country: November to December 2026
How to Apply to British Council Research Fellowships 2026
- Visit the official website
- Apply via the portal: https://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/application-form
- Contact a University of Edinburgh staff member to act as your mentor
- Fill out the application form and upload the required documents:
- Cover Letter (2 pages max)
- Curriculum Vitae (4 pages max)
- Research Proposal (up to 750 words + 250 words on importance + 250 words on Edinburgh relevance)
- Ask two or three referees to email reference letters to iash@ed.ac.uk
- Apply before the deadline: July 28, 2025
Required Documents for British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2026
- Cover Letter (explaining alignment with British Council goals)
- Academic CV (maximum 4 pages)
- Research Proposal (up to 1,250 words total)
- 2–3 confidential reference letters (one must confirm PhD completion)
