The British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh have officially launched the 2025–2026 British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships—a prestigious opportunity tailored for early-career researchers from eligible ODA-recipient countries.
This 12-month postdoctoral fellowship offers a fully-funded research stay in the UK, a generous stipend, and the chance to collaborate with world-class scholars and British Council teams. If you are a passionate academic with a PhD and a vision to contribute to global peace, prosperity, and cultural exchange—this fellowship is your ticket to elevate your impact.
What the Fellowship Offers?
- Ten-month research residency at IASH, University of Edinburgh (Jan–Oct 2026)
- Two-month home-based knowledge exchange program (Nov–Dec 2026)
- £2,500 monthly bursary for 12 months
- Travel expenses covered
- Access to world-class academic mentoring, library resources, and a private office
- Participation in seminars, workshops, and British Council events
- Weekly Fellows’ Lunch and interdisciplinary networking.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD awarded between 2018 and 2025 (extensions considered for career breaks)
- Be based in an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates (see country list below)
- Not hold a permanent academic position or have previously been a Fellow at IASH
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to knowledge exchange, policy relevance, and public engagement.
✅ Eligible Countries include: India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Indonesia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Philippines, and 60+ others.
Focus Areas of Research
Your proposed project should align with:
- British Council priorities in Arts, Education, and English Language
- Themes of peace building, soft power, international development, and cultural diplomacy
- Broader goals of international cooperation, diverse narratives, and public understanding
Your proposal must demonstrate potential for positive impact in your home country and relevance to Official Development Assistance (ODA) goals.
Objectives of the Fellowship
Applicants should articulate how their work will:
- Contribute to British Council’s strategic programming and global insight
- Build bridges between UK and international researchers
- Support underrepresented voices in global academic discourse
- Promote real-world policy and societal engagement through research.
Apply: https://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/british-council-90th-anniversary-research-fellowships.
Application Timeline
The application portal for the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships opened on 29 April 2025. An informative applicant webinar was held on 23 May 2025 at 13:00 UK time to guide potential candidates. The final deadline to submit a complete application is 28 July 2025 at 23:59 UK time. Selection decisions will be communicated by the end of August 2025.
The Fellowship will officially commence in January 2026, with the research residency at the University of Edinburgh running from January to October 2026, followed by a knowledge exchange phase in the Fellow’s home country from November to December 2026.
