The University of Edinburgh has officially opened applications for its highly regarded Heritage Collections Research Fellowships 2026–2027, offering postdoctoral scholars from around the world a funded opportunity to undertake collections-based research at one of the UK’s most prestigious research institutions. The latest round supports research visits taking place between August 2026 and July 2027, with applications closing on 24 April 2026. This competitive fellowship is hosted by the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) and is designed for scholars in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences whose work meaningfully engages with the University’s vast and globally significant heritage collections.
Positioned in the historic and intellectually vibrant city of Edinburgh, the fellowship provides researchers with time, funding, and privileged access to rare materials that are often difficult to consult through standard archival routes. For scholars seeking to deepen original research, expand international networks, and contribute to public-facing humanities work, this fellowship represents a standout opportunity for the 2026–2027 academic cycle.
Priority Research Themes for 2026–2027
While proposals are welcomed from across all relevant disciplines, the 2026–2027 call particularly encourages projects aligned with the following thematic areas:
1# Institutional Histories, Decoloniality, and Colonial Impact
Applications are strongly encouraged that explore decolonial perspectives, provenance research, and the University of Edinburgh’s historical links to colonialism. This includes work connected to the University Race Review, colonial-era figures, institutional histories, and specific campus sites such as Old College, Edinburgh College of Art, King’s Buildings, and the Edinburgh Futures Institute.
2# Sustainability, Environmental Emergencies, and Regeneration
The Heritage Collections offer rich material for research into climate history, environmental change, extraction practices, and sustainability ethics. Fellows are invited to critically examine how historical collections can inform contemporary debates around ecological responsibility, social justice, and the regeneration of cultural and environmental systems.
3# International Connections with a Focus on Africa
The collections include extensive, yet underexplored, material relating to Africa and Scotland–Africa connections. Projects investigating transnational histories, cultural exchange, and global intellectual networks involving Africa are especially welcomed for this fellowship round.
Funding Plan and Fellowship Support
The Heritage Collections Research Fellowship is structured as a fully supported research residency lasting three to six months at the University of Edinburgh. Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive funding and support package designed to allow full focus on research.
Each Fellow is provided with a bursary of £2,000 per month, intended to support living costs during the residency period. Where applicable, an international travel allowance of up to £500 is available to help cover travel to and from Edinburgh.
Beyond financial support, Fellows benefit from dedicated office space at IASH, full University email and library access, and privileged use of the Heritage Collections and the Digital Scholarship Centre. Each Fellow is also assigned an academic mentor from the Centre for Research Collections or a relevant School within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
The fellowship experience is enriched by weekly Fellows’ lunches, a collegial work-in-progress seminar series, and a vibrant calendar of academic and cultural events, fostering meaningful engagement with an international community of scholars.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applications are welcomed from postdoctoral researchers worldwide, including university-employed academics and independent scholars, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and UK immigration requirements.
Applicants must have been awarded a doctorate at the time of application, normally within the last five years. Candidates who have completed their PhD but not yet formally graduated may apply if they can provide official confirmation of completion. Researchers who have held temporary or short-term academic appointments are eligible, but applicants must not have previously held a fellowship at IASH.
All applicants must present a well-defined research project that directly engages with a specific Heritage Collection at the University of Edinburgh and demonstrate prior or planned contact with relevant University researchers. Active participation in Heritage Collections activities, such as seminars, workshops, exhibitions, or digital outputs, is a core expectation of the fellowship.
Apply: https://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/heritage-collections-research-fellowships
Application Timeline and Key Dates
The application portal for the Heritage Collections Research Fellowships 2026–2027 is now open.
The last date to apply for research visits scheduled between August 2026 and July 2027 is 24 April 2026 at 17:00 GMT. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants must also ensure that two to three confidential references are submitted by the same deadline.
Following the review process, selection decisions are expected to be communicated in July 2026, allowing successful candidates sufficient time to plan travel and residency arrangements. Fellowship residencies will commence from August 2026 onward and may run at any point up to July 2027, depending on the agreed duration.