IASH Postdoctoral Fellowships (University of Edinburgh)547 Views

For early-career researchers in the arts, humanities, or social sciences, the IASH Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh represent a unique opportunity to advance independent scholarship in an intellectually vibrant environment. If you are seeking a prestigious postdoc fellowship that offers support, community, and freedom to focus on your research, this article will show you how to make the most of this chance.

Here you will find a full overview of the fellowship: what it offers, who can apply, the application process, and expert advice to give yourself the best possible shot.

Why IASH Postdoctoral Fellowships Matter

The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at University of Edinburgh is a globally recognised centre for interdisciplinary research in arts, humanities and social sciences. Since its founding in 1969, IASH has hosted more than 1,500 fellows from over 65 countries. 

For a postdoctoral researcher, joining IASH offers more than just time for writing. The fellowship grants access to:

• • A supportive research environment in a historic, inspiring setting, conducive to deep thinking. 

  • A vibrant international scholarly community, providing networking and collaboration opportunities across disciplines. 

  • Institutional resources such as office space, University email, full library access, and mentorship tailored to your

    research interest. 

Therefore, for emerging scholars aiming to build a strong academic profile or produce a landmark research publication, this fellowship can serve as an ideal springboard.

Who Is Eligible / Who Should Apply

Basic Eligibility Criteria

• • You must hold a doctorate (PhD) by the time of application, or be able to submit a transcript/letter confirming eligibility to graduate. 

  • Normally, your PhD should have been awarded within the last three years (i.e., between 2023 and 2026). Earlier graduates may be eligible if they had significant, documented career breaks (e.g., parental leave). 

  • You should not hold a permanent academic position at a university. Previous short-term or temporary appointments are allowed. 

  • Previous residence fellowship at IASH disqualifies re-application under the postdoctoral scheme. 

Field of Study

The fellowship welcomes applications across all topics in arts, humanities, and social sciences. Interdisciplinary proposals — for example, combining cultural studies with digital humanities, or social theory with environmental humanities — are also encouraged. 

When It Makes Most Sense to Apply

• • If you recently completed a PhD and seek a dedicated research period

    with minimal teaching commitments.

  • If you have an innovative, cross-disciplinary proposal requiring access to a large library and academic community.

  • If you seek to expand your academic network globally, collaborate with distinguished scholars, or aim to publish a major monograph or a series of high-impact papers.

Key Features, Funding & Highlights

The IASH Postdoctoral Fellowship offers a suite of benefits designed to give fellows maximum flexibility and scholarly support. 

What the Fellowship Provides

• • A research visit at the University of Edinburgh for 3 to 10 months (during August 2026 – July 2027 for the current call). 

  • A bursary of up to £20,000, which may be used to top up existing funding or cover living/travel expenses. 

  • Dedicated office space, a University email account, and full access to the University library and digital resources. 

  • An allocated mentor from relevant academic staff at the University. 

  • Opportunities to attend and contribute to seminars, workshops, colloquia, and events at IASH.

  • A vibrant scholarly community. Fellows benefit from weekly lunches, interdisciplinary exchange, and potential collaborations across the social sciences and humanities. 

  • Flexibility: there is no formal teaching requirement. However, if desired, fellows may arrange limited teaching (up

    to 0.4 FTE) to supplement the bursary. 

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

1. Check the Official Call & Deadlines

• • The current call for 2026–2027 fellowships opens via the official IASH page. 

  • Deadline for submission: 17:00 GMT on 24 April 2026. Applications submitted after this will not be considered. 

2. Prepare Your Application Package

Be ready with:

• • A structured CV (curriculum vitae).

  • A research proposal clearly defining your research questions, methods, significance, and fit with Edinburgh’s research community.

  • Evidence of prior contact with at least one staff member at University of Edinburgh who could act as your mentor; mention this connection and include their name. 

  • Two to three confidential references, one confirming the successful completion of your PhD (or completion status) in case your degree is recent or pending. 

  • Documentation of PhD award date or a transcript/letter certifying eligibility to graduate.

3. Submit Online + Ensure References Are Sent

Complete the online application form on the IASH portal. Ensure that referees email their

letters to the designated IASH email address before the deadline. 

4. Wait for Decision

Decisions are typically communicated in July following the application deadline. 

5. Plan for Residence in Edinburgh

If selected, you will need to relocate to Edinburgh for the fellowship period and commit yourself fully to the research community and activities at IASH.

Tips, Common Mistakes, and Expert Advice

In my experience advising early-career researchers, the following points make a substantial difference.

✅ Do: Make Early Contact with a Mentor

One of the often overlooked but crucial prerequisites is prior contact with a potential mentor at the University of Edinburgh. A short, well-crafted email discussing your project and its relevance to the mentor’s research can strengthen your application substantially.

Checklist before submitting:

• • Email and discuss your project briefly with a prospective mentor.

  • Secure their agreement to act as your sponsor.

  • Include their name and affiliation in the application.

✍️ Do: Craft an Original, Interdisciplinary Proposal

Fellowship committees appreciate proposals that:

• • Bridge traditional disciplines or combine methods (e.g., digital humanities + social research).

  • Address contemporary or global issues (e.g., migration, climate humanities, cultural heritage).

  • Leverage Edinburgh’s resources like archives, libraries, or heritage collections.

Avoid overly broad projects. Instead, aim for clarity, focus, and feasibility within 3–10 months.

📄 Do: Prepare Your Documents Well in Advance

Gather transcripts, degree certificates, and contact details of referees early. Ensure your CV is clean, current, and emphasizes your PhD, publications, and any relevant research or teaching experience.

Make sure referees are informed and ready to submit on time. Late or missing references often result in automatic rejection.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• • Waiting until just before the deadline — this reduces time for mentor contact and reference follow-up.

  • Submitting a generic CV or research proposal that lacks connection to Edinburgh’s research community.

  • Choosing a topic outside the scope (e.g., pure science/engineering): IASH does not support natural sciences. 

  • Not clarifying prior career breaks when applying, which may affect eligibility under the “PhD within last three years” clause.

📈 Strategic Perspective: Compare with Similar Fellowships

Compared to more structured postdoc grants tied to projects or teaching obligations, IASH offers freedom, flexibility, and a world-class research environment. For early-career academics, this freedom can translate into a high-quality monograph, a series of impactful papers, or groundwork for a permanent academic appointment.

Even if you hold another fellowship (e.g., from your country or another institution), you may still apply — IASH allows bursary top-up under certain conditions. 

Conclusion

The IASH Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Edinburgh present a compelling opportunity for early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. The combination of a generous bursary, dedicated research space, mentorship, and an internationally diverse scholarly community makes it an ideal platform for deep research and academic growth.

If you are eligible and ready to invest yourself in a serious research project, start preparing early. Reach out to potential mentors, draft a clear and original proposal, compile strong references, and submit before the deadline on 24 April 2026.

For further details, refer to the official IASH postdoctoral fellowship portal and plan your application carefully.

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Summary Table

Feature	Details
Program Name	IASH Postdoctoral Fellowships (2026–2027)
Host Country	United Kingdom (Edinburgh)
Funded By	Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), University of Edinburgh
Duration	3–10 months (research visit)
Study Mode	Full-time research residency at Edinburgh
Eligibility	Doctorate awarded between 2023–2026 (or equivalent), no permanent academic post, no prior IASH fellowship
Financial Support	Bursary up to £20,000 + University office, library access, mentor & institutional resources
Fields of Study	Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences (interdisciplinary work encouraged)
Deadline	24/04/2026, 17:00 GMT
Official Website	IASH Postdoctoral Fellowships

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