The British Council is celebrating its 90th Anniversary by launching a prestigious 12-month fully funded research fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, starting in January 2026. This opportunity is open to early-career researchers from ODA-eligible countries, focusing on themes such as culture, education, international relations, and diplomacy.
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Details of British Council UK 90th Anniversary Fellowship
| Host Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Program Duration | 12 months (10 months in Edinburgh + 2 months in home country) |
| Start Date | January 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 28th July 2025 |
| Financial Coverage | Fully Funded |
Financial Benefits
- Monthly Stipend: £2,500/month
- Travel expenses covered
- Access to library and desk space
- Weekly Fellows’ Lunch
- Visits to British Council offices
Research and Focus Areas
The fellowship supports research aligned with the British Council’s thematic priorities, including:
- Arts and Culture
- Education
- English Language
- International Relations
- Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy
- Peacebuilding
- International Development
- Cultural Relations
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be nationals of one of the Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries, including:
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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be from an ODA-eligible country
- Must have earned a PhD between 2018 and 2025
- Career breaks (e.g., parental leave) are considered and don’t count against the seven-year limit
- Must not hold a permanent university position
- May have held temporary or short-term academic posts
- Those who have held the same fellowship previously are not eligible
- PhD must be completed or viva passed with final corrections done
Required Documents
- Completed Application Form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Research Proposal
- Cover Letter
- Two or Three Confidential References
How to Apply for the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowship 2026?
- Applications must be submitted online via the official University of Edinburgh website.
- No application fee is required.
🔗 Apply Here for the British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowship
Conclusion
This is a prestigious opportunity for international researchers to engage in interdisciplinary scholarship at one of the UK’s top universities, supported by the British Council. With generous funding, academic support, and professional development, fellows will explore themes critical to global cultural and diplomatic relationships.
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