British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2027

This is the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowship, a 12-month postdoctoral fellowship for early-career researchers from ODA-recipient countries. It is a partnership between the British Council and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh, UK. The fellowship aims to support outstanding researchers whose work aligns with the British Council’s vision of building a more peaceful and prosperous world through trust, understanding, and global connections. Fellows will spend ten months at the University of Edinburgh and up to two months in their home countries focusing on knowledge exchange and dissemination activities. The fellowships will begin in January 2027 and continue until December 2027.

This is a fully-funded fellowship. Benefits include: - A monthly bursary of £2,500 for 12 months. - Travel expenses. - Dedicated office space at IASH. - University email and library access. - Academic mentoring from a University mentor. - Opportunity to participate in workshops, seminars, and colloquia. - Networking opportunities with international scholars and British Council staff. - No regular teaching responsibilities are required during the fellowship.

- Nationality: Open to postdoctoral researchers from ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates. As Ethiopia is an ODA-recipient country, Ethiopian students are eligible. - Academic Level: Applicants must hold a PhD qualification at the time of application, normally completed within the last seven years. Researchers who took parental leave or career breaks can also apply. If applicants have not officially graduated yet, they must provide proof of successful thesis completion and final corrections. - Experience: Applicants should be early-career postdoctoral researchers and should not have held a permanent university position before applying. - Previous Fellowships: Applicants who previously held a Fellowship at IASH are not eligible. - Research Focus: Research topics must align with the British Council’s strategic priorities, including Arts, Education, the English language, cultural relations, peace building, international development, soft power, or cultural diplomacy. - Commitment: Applicants should demonstrate commitment to knowledge exchange and public engagement, and show experience in engaging non-academic audiences, policymakers, or practitioners.

- Completed online application form. - Research proposal. - Curriculum Vitae (CV). - Cover letter, explaining how the proposed fellowship supports the British Council’s objectives. - Minimum two, maximum three, confidential references. Referees must email their references directly before the deadline. - Proof of PhD completion or eligibility to graduate.

- The application process is online. Applicants must complete the official application form carefully. - Prepare all required documents (research proposal, CV, cover letter, and proof of PhD completion/eligibility). - Arrange for at least two confidential references to be sent directly by your referees before the deadline. - It is recommended that applicants contact researchers at the University of Edinburgh before submitting their applications. - Only complete applications will be considered.

- The application deadline for the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2027 is July 31, 2026, at 17:00 BST. - Successful candidates will receive notification by the end of September 2026. - This is a highly competitive international research fellowship.