British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships 2027: A Fully Funded Postdoc in Edinburgh for MENA Researchers
If you finished your PhD in the humanities or social sciences and you have been dreaming of a funded research stay in the UK, this is one of the most generous and welcoming opportunities on the calendar. The British Council 90th Anniversary Research Fellowships are fully funded postdoctoral fellowships hosted at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh, run in partnership with the British Council. The next round is open for fellowship visits starting from January 2027, and the deadline to apply is 31 July 2026 at 17:00 BST.
What makes this fellowship special for researchers in the Middle East and North Africa is its design. It is not a one-way trip: you spend ten months in residence at IASH in Edinburgh, and then up to two more months back in your home country or region, doing knowledge exchange with the British Council. In other words, the programme is built so that what you learn in Scotland travels home with you — and your home institution and community benefit directly.
Who is eligible?
The fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers based in ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates. That explicitly includes most MENA countries — for example Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, among others. If you are unsure whether your country qualifies, confirm it on the official page before you invest time in your application.
- You must be based in an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates (most MENA countries qualify — check the official page for your country).
- You must hold a doctorate, with your viva completed by the application deadline.
- Your PhD should normally have been awarded within the last seven years, although career breaks (for example for caring responsibilities) are taken into account.
- You must not have held a permanent university position, and you must not have held a previous IASH fellowship.
- Candidates who did not complete their degrees in the UK or other non-ODA countries are especially welcomed — so a PhD from a university in Cairo, Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Rabat, Algiers or Tunis is an asset here, not a disadvantage.
What does the fellowship fund?
This is a genuinely fully funded fellowship, and the support goes beyond money:
- A bursary of £2,500 per month for the duration of the fellowship.
- Travel expenses covered.
- Dedicated desk space at IASH and full library access at the University of Edinburgh.
- Academic mentoring — a senior colleague who helps you get the most out of your year.
Combine that with Edinburgh's research libraries, seminars and the community of visiting fellows at IASH, and you have close to ideal conditions to finish a book manuscript, develop a new project or build lasting international collaborations.
Deadline: 31 July 2026, 17:00 BST
Applications for fellowship visits starting from January 2027 close on 31 July 2026 at 17:00 BST. Because the application requires 2–3 confidential references, do not leave it to the last week — your referees need time.
Level and fields of research
This is a postdoctoral fellowship in the humanities and social sciences. Your proposal should align with IASH and British Council themes; the exact thematic priorities are described on the official page, so check them carefully and frame your project accordingly. History, literature, linguistics, cultural studies, sociology, politics, anthropology and related disciplines are the natural home of this scheme.
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm your eligibility. Check that your country is an ODA-recipient country where the British Council operates, and that your PhD (viva completed) falls within the normal seven-year window.
- Read the official call. Study the IASH page and the British Council themes so your proposal speaks their language.
- Prepare your research proposal. Be specific about what you will do during ten months in Edinburgh and how the final knowledge-exchange phase will work back home.
- Update your CV with publications, projects and any career breaks explained.
- Write your cover letter explaining how your project fits British Council objectives — this is a distinct document, not a summary of the proposal.
- Arrange 2–3 confidential references. Contact your referees early and share your proposal with them.
- Complete the application form and submit everything before 31 July 2026, 17:00 BST.
Frequently asked questions
Can researchers from Arab countries really apply?
Yes. The fellowship is designed for researchers based in ODA-recipient countries where the British Council operates, which includes most MENA countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Confirm your specific country on the official page.
Do I need a PhD from a UK university?
No — quite the opposite. Candidates who did not do their degrees in the UK or other non-ODA countries are especially welcomed.
Is the fellowship really fully funded?
Yes. It provides a bursary of £2,500 per month plus travel expenses, alongside desk space, library access and academic mentoring at IASH.
Ready to apply?
Opportunities that combine full funding, a world-class host institute and an explicit welcome to researchers from our region do not come around often. Read the full details, download the application form and start contacting your referees today on the official IASH fellowship page. The deadline of 31 July 2026 will arrive faster than you think.
Source: IASH, University of Edinburgh — official fellowship page
Use the free Scholarship Finder and country comparison, then get a personal plan.