British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2026

British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2026

The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2026 offer an exceptional opportunity for early-career researchers to pursue a fully funded 12-month postdoctoral fellowship at the prestigious University of Edinburgh. This fellowship is a collaboration between the British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), designed to support innovative research aligned with themes such as international development, peacebuilding, cultural diplomacy, and education.

Fellowship Benefits

• Monthly stipend: £2,500 for 12 months

• Travel expenses: Fully covered

• Residency: 10 months at the University of Edinburgh

• Knowledge exchange: Up to 2 months in your home country

• Full access to university facilities including library, office space, and email

• Dedicated academic mentor

• Weekly Fellows’ networking lunches

• Opportunities to host funded academic events

Eligibility Criteria

• PhD Degree: Completed within the last 7 years (2018–2025)

• Career breaks: Eligible if you had career interruptions (e.g., parental leave, health)

• Must be a citizen of an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates (e.g., Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Indonesia, etc.)

• Applicants must not hold a permanent academic position or have previously held an IASH Fellowship

• Commitment to knowledge exchange and public engagement

Eligible Research Areas

The fellowship welcomes research within Humanities and Social Sciences, with priority given to the following themes:

• Arts and Humanities

• Education and English Language

• Cultural Diplomacy and Cultural Relations

• Peacebuilding and International Development

• Soft Power and Global Engagement

• International Relations and Global Policy

Sample research topics include:

• Cross-cultural communication and global understanding

• Peace and conflict resolution

• Language policy and English language learning

• Cultural heritage, identity, and migration

• Educational access and equity

• Media, digital humanities, and civic engagement

• Global partnerships for sustainable development

Note: Your research proposal must relate to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice and include plans for local knowledge exchange in your country.

Eligible Nationalities

Applicants from the following countries are encouraged to apply:

• Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa

• Ukraine, Tunisia, Vietnam, Jordan, Uganda, Zimbabwe

For the full list, please check the official guidelines.

Application Process

Important Dates:

• Application portal opens: April 29, 2025

• Applicant webinar: May 23, 2025 (Register at bc90webinar.eventbrite.co.uk)

• Application deadline: July 28, 2025 (11:59 PM UK Time)

• Successful candidates announced: End of August 2025

• Fellowship start: January 2026

Application Requirements:

• Completed application form (available online)

• Detailed CV

• Research proposal aligned with British Council themes

• Cover letter explaining your fit with the fellowship goals

• Two to three reference letters, including one confirming PhD completion

Submission:
Email all documents to: iash@ed.ac.uk

Why Apply?

This fellowship provides not only funding and academic support but also the chance to build international collaborations, strengthen your academic network, and impact real-world development. If you’re passionate about humanities and social sciences research with global relevance—especially in education, peacebuilding, and cultural diplomacy—this is your chance to take your career to the next level.