We are delighted to be awarding two new 12-month Postdoctoral Fellowships, starting in January 2026, at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh.
Applications are open to postdoctoral researchers based in any ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates (please see list at the bottom of this page).
Fellows will spend the first ten months of their Fellowships at IASH, followed by up to two months based in their home countries or regions focused on knowledge exchange and dissemination in collaboration with the British Council.
The Fellowship provides a bursary of £2,500 per month and travel expenses as well as desk space, library access and academic mentoring as part of the vibrant scholarly community of visiting fellows at IASH. Fellows will also be expected to engage closely with the British Council throughout their Fellowships, both in the UK and in their home country or region, as part of the knowledge exchange component of the Fellowship.
Subject focus and eligibilityThese Fellowships are intended to support research that is aligned with the overarching vision of the British Council (“a more peaceful and prosperous world built on trust”) and the purpose outlined in our strategy: We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
Applicants must be based in an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates and be qualified to undertake postdoctoral level research for the Fellowship.
These are early-career fellowships, meaning applicants must be within seven years of completion of their PhD. We especially welcome applications from candidates who have not already had an undergraduate or postgraduate education in the UK or other non-ODA recipient country.
Research topics should be relevant to the areas of priority across Arts, Education and the English language that are outlined in our strategy, and to areas of cross-cutting strategic British Council interest such as international relations and soft power, international development and peace building, and cultural relations and cultural diplomacy.
Within this broad thematic remit, the specific research focus of each Fellowship can be shaped by the expertise and interests of the applicant. However, Fellowship proposals should include plans for outputs that are relevant to Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy or practice, and which have potential to advance knowledge or engage stakeholders or audiences in the Fellow’s home country or region.
ObjectivesIn addition to proposing research and outputs in line with the above thematic remit, applicants should use the cover letter that is required as part of the application process (see below) to outline how their Fellowship would support the following British Council objectives for this programme:
Applications will be considered by an assessment panel comprised of University of Edinburgh and British Council staff. Assessment will take account of the extent to which candidates meet the following criteria:
A research and/or professional background and academic record that relates to broad remit of the programme, outlined above
The British Council and IASH are holding an online Q&A webinar on Friday 23 May 2025 from 13:00 to 14:00 UK time on Zoom Webinar.
The session will be recorded. Prospective Fellowship applicants are encouraged to register for this session even if they cannot attend ‘live’ as this will give them access to the recording afterwards.
Further details and how to applyPlease visit the IASH website for full application guidelines, detailed eligibility criteria, and details of the Bursary and other support provided as part of the Fellowship.
Note: As requested above, please use the cover letter that is required as part of the application process to outline how their Fellowship will support the British Council’s objectives for this programme.
QuestionsPlease contact Researchglobal@britishcouncil.org
Eligible countriesAlbania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil , Cambodia, Cameroon, China (People’s Republic of), 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, Occupied Palestinian Territories, 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, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Deadline: 28 Jul 2025
