The latest round of the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships, for visits between January and December 2027, is now open. This prestigious opportunity supports international early-career researchers through a partnership between the British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh.
The British Council celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024. In honor of this milestone, it launched a three-year partnership (2025–2027) with IASH at the University of Edinburgh. This initiative awards up to two 12-month postdoctoral fellowships each year to outstanding early-career researchers from eligible countries.
Fellowships for 2027 begin in January 2027. Previous fellows include Dr. Anthea Moys and Dr. Viktoria Bavykina (2025) and Dr. Elsie C. Albis and Dr. Dustin Lalkulhpuia (2026). These fellowships provide a unique platform for researchers to advance their work while contributing to global knowledge exchange.
The program structure is innovative: fellows spend the first ten months at IASH in Edinburgh, immersed in a vibrant academic environment. They then return to their home countries for up to two months, focusing on knowledge exchange and dissemination activities in collaboration with the British Council. This hybrid model bridges international research with local impact.
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Why This Fellowship Matters
In today’s interconnected world, building trust and understanding across borders is more important than ever. The British Council’s vision is “a more peaceful and prosperous world built on trust.” Its strategy emphasizes supporting peace and prosperity by fostering connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
These fellowships align directly with that mission. They empower researchers from ODA-recipient countries to produce knowledge that informs policy, practice, and cultural relations. By supporting early-career scholars, the program diversifies global research voices and strengthens long-term partnerships.
Participants gain access to world-class resources at one of the UK’s leading universities while maintaining strong ties to their home contexts. This balance makes the fellowship particularly valuable for those aiming to create real-world impact.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applications are warmly welcomed from postdoctoral researchers based in ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates. Applicants must have been awarded a PhD, typically within the last seven years (between roughly 2019 and summer 2026). Career breaks, such as parental leave or other significant interruptions, are taken into account and do not count toward the seven-year limit.
Key requirements include:
- Being based in an eligible ODA-recipient country.
- Holding a completed PhD (or being able to provide proof of successful viva and corrections if not yet formally graduated).
- Demonstrating potential for postdoctoral-level research.
- Not having held a permanent university position or a previous IASH fellowship (temporary or short-term roles are acceptable).
The program encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and values professional experience alongside academic achievements.
Full List of Eligible Countries:
Here is the complete list of eligible countries:
- 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
If your country appears on this list, you may be eligible. Always confirm your specific situation with the organizers if needed.
Research Topics and Focus Areas:
Research proposals should align with the British Council’s priorities in Arts, Education, and the English language. They should also connect to broader themes such as:
- International relations and soft power
- International development and peace building
- Cultural relations and cultural diplomacy
The specific focus can reflect the applicant’s expertise, but proposals must include plans for outputs relevant to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice. These outputs should advance knowledge or engage stakeholders in the fellow’s home country or region.
Strong proposals demonstrate how the research builds on or complements existing British Council data, evidence, and expertise. They should also show potential for meaningful knowledge exchange.
British Council Objectives for the Fellowship Program:
In your required cover letter, clearly explain how your fellowship would support these key objectives:
- Generating new knowledge that builds on British Council insights and supports its programming and strategy.
- Diversifying the British Council’s knowledge base by including underrepresented voices and regions.
- Supporting capacity building and professional development for emerging researchers from eligible countries.
- Fostering long-term connections and partnerships between UK and international researchers and British Council staff.
- Promoting academic engagement and professional networking.
- Enhancing the visibility and application of British Council-generated knowledge.
- Contributing to the wider UK research and skills agenda, including relevant roadmaps and frameworks.
A well-crafted cover letter that addresses these points strengthens your application significantly.
Assessment Criteria:
An assessment panel of University of Edinburgh and British Council staff evaluates applications based on several factors:
- Relevant research or professional background and strong academic record aligned with the program’s thematic remit.
- A research proposal with clear potential to advance British Council objectives.
- Demonstrable experience engaging non-academic audiences, such as policymakers, practitioners, artists, or the public.
- Clear commitment to knowledge exchange and dissemination during and beyond the fellowship, drawing on networks and insights gained.
The quality and timeliness of the proposed project receive particular attention. Innovative and interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged.
What the Fellowship Offers: Comprehensive Benefits:
Successful fellows receive substantial support:
- A generous bursary of £2,500 per month for the full 12 months.
- Travel expenses covered.
- Dedicated office space at IASH.
- University email account and full library access.
- Academic mentoring from a relevant University of Edinburgh expert.
- Integration into a lively community of visiting fellows, with weekly lunches and work-in-progress seminars.
- Opportunities to participate in or design workshops, colloquia, and other events.
- Ten months of immersive research in Edinburgh followed by up to two months of focused knowledge exchange in the home country.
IASH occupies a historic building with beautiful surroundings, ideal for deep thinking and collaboration. The environment balances quiet reflection with rich intellectual exchange. Fellows are expected to contribute actively, including delivering at least one seminar and submitting a final research report. No regular teaching duties are required.
Application Procedure and Important Timeline:
The application portal is currently open. Here is the key schedule for the 2027 round:
- 5 May 2026: Application portal opens.
- 26 May 2026: Applicant webinar (recording and slides available).
- 31 July 2026 (17:00 BST): Application deadline.
- By end of September 2026: Selection decisions communicated.
- January 2027: Fellowship start date.
- January to October 2027: Residency at IASH.
- November to December 2027: Knowledge exchange phase in home country.
Required Application Materials:
- Completed online application form.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Research proposal.
- Cover letter addressing how the fellowship supports British Council objectives.
- Minimum of two and maximum of three confidential references (one must certify the PhD viva and final examination).
Referees should email references directly to iash@ed.ac.uk by the deadline. Incomplete applications or late references will not be considered. Additional supporting documents can be emailed to iash@ed.ac.uk.
Applicants must contact University of Edinburgh staff relevant to their project before submitting. Name your main collaborator or mentor in the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I apply if my PhD is not yet formally awarded? Yes, if you can provide evidence of a successful viva and completed corrections.
- Is there flexibility in start dates? No. The fellowship must begin in January 2027 and run through December 2027.
- What if I have held short-term academic positions? You remain eligible as long as you have not held a permanent position or previous IASH fellowship.
- Are there any costs to apply? No application fee is required.
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