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British Council 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2027
The British Council 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2027 is a fully funded 12-month international research fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, commencing January 2027 and open to doctoral researchers from ODA-recipient countries working in the humanities and social sciences. Fellows spend the first 10 months at the University of Edinburgh as part of the IASH scholarly community, followed by two months collaborating with the British Council in their home countries. The fellowship provides £2,500 per month alongside travel expenses, library access, and desk space. No application fee is required. The deadline is 31 July 2026.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Funded International Research Fellowship |
| Organising Body | British Council in partnership with the University of Edinburgh (IASH) |
| Mode | Offline (10 months in Edinburgh + 2 months in home country) |
| Duration | 12 Months |
| Location | University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 July 2026 |
About the Program
The British Council 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2027 is a flagship international scholarship initiative marking the British Council’s 90th anniversary, designed to support outstanding researchers from eligible developing countries in advancing independent, interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences at one of the world’s most distinguished research universities. Fellows join the IASH — the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh — becoming part of a vibrant scholarly community with access to world-class research infrastructure, interdisciplinary academic engagement, and weekly collaborative forums. Consequently, selected researchers benefit from 10 months of fully immersive academic residency in Edinburgh, followed by two months of structured collaboration with the British Council in their home countries, ensuring that the fellowship’s impact extends meaningfully into the fellow’s own national research and cultural contexts. Furthermore, the program’s breadth — spanning humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, history, philosophy, media, politics, and literature — positions it as one of the most inclusive and intellectually generous international fellowships available to researchers from the Global South.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate at the time of application
- Must demonstrate a strong academic background in the humanities or social sciences
- Must propose a clearly defined and viable independent research project
Experience & Other Conditions
- Must be a national of and based in one of the designated ODA-recipient eligible countries (full list provided below)
- Must be available and able to reside in Edinburgh for the first 10 months of the fellowship beginning January 2027
- Must be available to collaborate with the British Council in their home country for the remaining two months
- Confidential references from a minimum of two and a maximum of three academic referees are required
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, and Zimbabwe.
Benefits & Funding
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | £2,500 per month for the full 12-month fellowship duration |
| Travel Expenses | Covered for the fellowship period |
| Library Access | Full access to University of Edinburgh research libraries |
| Desk Space | Dedicated desk space within IASH |
| Weekly Fellows’ Lunch | Participation in the regular IASH scholarly community lunch |
| British Council Visits | Structured visits to the British Council office included |
| IASH Community | Full membership of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities scholarly community |
Topics / Themes Covered
The fellowship supports independent research projects across a broad range of humanities and social science disciplines, including:
- Humanities and Cultural Studies
- History and Philosophy
- Literature and Linguistics
- Politics and International Relations
- Media and Communication
- Social Sciences and related interdisciplinary research areas
Selection Process
- Online application submitted via the official IASH fellowship portal at iash.ed.ac.uk before 31 July 2026
- Evaluation based on the quality of the research proposal, academic track record, CV, and cover letter
- Confidential references submitted directly by a minimum of two and a maximum of three academic referees
- Applicants must carefully review fellowship requirements, eligible countries, and application instructions before submitting
How to Apply
- Visit the official British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships portal at
Click Here. - Carefully review the fellowship requirements, eligible country list, and all application instructions before beginning your submission.
- Prepare your application form, CV, detailed research proposal, and cover letter.
- Identify a minimum of two and a maximum of three academic referees and request that they submit confidential references through the official portal.
- Submit your completed application online before the 31 July 2026 deadline; no application fee is required.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| All Applicants | No application fee required |
Required Documents
| Document | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application Form | Official IASH fellowship application form |
| Curriculum Vitae | Full academic and research background |
| Research Proposal | Clearly defined independent research project proposal |
| Cover Letter | Outlining motivation, background, and research goals |
| Confidential References | Minimum 2, maximum 3 academic references submitted directly by referees |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| Fellowship Start | January 2027 |
| Edinburgh Residency | January – October 2027 (10 months) |
| Home Country Collaboration | November – December 2027 (2 months) |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the British Council 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2027?
Doctoral researchers holding a Ph.D. or equivalent and based in one of the designated ODA-recipient eligible countries, working in the humanities or social sciences with a clearly defined independent research project, are eligible to apply.
What does the British Council 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2027 cover financially?
The fellowship provides £2,500 per month for 12 months, alongside travel expenses, full library access, dedicated desk space at IASH, weekly fellows’ lunches, and structured British Council office visits.
How is the 12-month fellowship structured?
Fellows spend the first 10 months at the University of Edinburgh embedded in the IASH scholarly community, followed by two months collaborating with the British Council in their home country, ensuring both international research exposure and domestic impact.
What academic disciplines does the British Council 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2027 support?
The fellowship supports research across humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, history, philosophy, literature, politics, media and communication, and related interdisciplinary areas within these broad fields.
Is there an application fee for the British Council 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2027?
No – the British Council 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2027 requires no application fee, and all fellowship expenses including monthly stipend and travel costs are fully covered by the British Council.