The University of Edinburgh’s British Council UK 90th Anniversary Fellowship 2026 is currently accepting applications. International students are eligible to take advantage of this completely subsidized opportunity. The fellowship lasts for a total of 12 months, with the final two months spent in the participant’s home country in collaboration with the British Council, and the first 10 months spent at the University of Edinburgh.
The fellowship, which was established in honor of the British Council’s 90th anniversary, will start in January 2026 and be hosted by the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH). The British Council covers all costs, and there is no application fee.
Below are further specifics on eligibility, prerequisites, and the application procedure.
Host Country: UK
University: University of Edinburgh
Opportunity Type: Fellowship
Eligibility Country: International Students
Duration: 12 Months
Start Date: January 2026
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must come from a nation that qualifies.
- It must be a doctorate by the time of application.
- Generally speaking, candidates must have finished their doctorate during the last seven years, from 2018 to 2025.
- If a candidate has taken long gaps from their career, they may still be qualified for a PhD.
- Proof of a successful viva and completion of all necessary thesis corrections must be presented by those who have not yet received their diploma.
- Candidates cannot be employed by a permanent academic institution at this time.
- Those who have already received this particular fellowship are ineligible.
- Applicants are not disqualified by temporary, short-term, or ongoing academic appointments.
- Parental leave and other career pauses are not included in the seven-year eligibility term (but a brief record of the gap is needed).
Benefits:
- Travel Expenses Paid: The fellowship provides money to pay for travel expenses to and from the United Kingdom.
- £2,500 Monthly Stipend: During their time in Edinburgh, fellows will be provided with a £2,500 monthly stipend to cover living expenses.
- Complete Library Access: The vast databases, research materials, and library collections of the University of Edinburgh will be available to fellows.
- Designated Desk Space: To facilitate targeted research, the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) will provide a dedicated desk and workspace.
- Weekly Fellows’ Lunches: Fellows are encouraged to join other researchers for weekly lunches, which offer a forum for casual conversations and academic networking.
- Office Visits: Through planned office visits, fellows will have the chance to interact with the British Council, strengthening their professional networks and fostering opportunities for collaboration.
Deadline: 28th July 2025
