Heritage Collections Research Fellowships

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    University of Edinburgh

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), KNUST, invites eligible postdoctoral researchers to apply for the Heritage Collections Research Fellowships hosted by the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), University of Edinburgh.

The fellowship programme supports postdoctoral scholars in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences to undertake research using the Heritage Collections of the University of Edinburgh. These collections include archives, manuscripts, artworks, rare books, musical instruments, and other historical materials accumulated over more than four centuries of collecting.

The fellowships provide researchers with privileged access to the University’s collections and expert curatorial teams, enabling innovative collections-based research that goes beyond standard reading-room access.

The current call is for research visits taking place between August 2026 and July 2027.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

  • A research visit of three (3) to six (6) months at the University of Edinburgh

  • Monthly bursary of £2,000

  • International travel allowance of up to £500 (if required)

  • Dedicated office space at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities

  • University email and full library access

  • Privileged access to Heritage Collections and support from curatorial and technical staff

  • Access to the Digital Scholarship Centre facilities

  • A University mentor from the Centre for Research Collections (CRC) or an academic School within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Participation in the weekly Fellows’ Lunch and scholarly community events

  • Opportunities to present work in seminars and collaborative research events

Suggested Research Areas

Proposals are welcomed across the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, particularly those engaging with the University’s Heritage Collections. Priority themes include:

Institutional Histories, Decoloniality, and Colonial Impact

  • Research on colonial histories connected to the University of Edinburgh

  • Provenance research on collection materials

  • Studies relating to past principals, staff, students, and institutional history

  • Research linked to campus sites such as Edinburgh College of Art, Kings Buildings, the Edinburgh Futures Institute, and Old College

  • Studies exploring identity, inequality, and historical power structures

Sustainability, Environmental Emergencies, and Regeneration

  • Research exploring the relationship between heritage collections and environmental sustainability

  • Studies on climate science, ecological change, and histories of resource extraction

  • Examination of ethical collecting practices and environmental responsibility

  • Projects that critically engage with environmental crises and cultural regeneration

International Connections – Focus on Africa

  • Research on materials within the collections related to Africa or Scotland–Africa historical relationships

  • Projects exploring under-researched African-related archives and materials within the collections

General Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be postdoctoral researchers in the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences

  • Have been awarded a doctorate (PhD) at the time of application (normally within the last five years)

  • Be an independent researcher or affiliated with a university or research institution

  • Propose a research project that uses a specific Heritage Collection at the University of Edinburgh

  • Not have previously held a Fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH)

Applicants who have recently completed their doctoral studies but have not yet graduated must provide evidence of successful thesis completion.

Fellowship Expectations

Selected Fellows will be expected to:

  • Be in residence for the duration of the fellowship

  • Use the Heritage Collections as the primary basis for their research

  • Participate actively in the academic life of the Institute

  • Present at least one seminar or scholarly event during the fellowship

  • Contribute to activities such as workshops, exhibitions, seminars, or digital outputs related to their research

  • Submit a final report at the end of the fellowship period

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

  • A completed online application form

  • A research proposal clearly identifying the specific collection to be used

  • Two to three confidential reference letters

Referees must send their letters directly to the Institute by the application deadline.

Important Notes

  • Research visits will take place between August 2026 and July 2027.

  • Fellows are expected to make IASH their primary place of work during the fellowship.

  • Applicants are encouraged to contact relevant researchers at the University of Edinburgh prior to applying.

  • Applications must be fully completed with all required documentation.

Application Deadline

  • 24 April 2026 (17:00 GMT)

Decisions will be communicated in July 2026.

Application Link

Apply here:
https://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/application-form

Interested KNUST researchers are encouraged to contact the Office of Grants and Research for institutional guidance prior to submission.