Global Majority Fellowship Scheme 2025–2026 at Edinburgh Futures Institute (Fully Funded)
Overview
The Global Majority Fellowship Scheme 2025–2026, hosted at the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) and the School of Informatics, is a UKRI-supported initiative aimed at early-career researchers and professionals from the global majority—defined as individuals who are Black, Asian, brown, dual‑heritage, indigenous to the global South, or have been racialised as ethnic minorities.
The scheme invites applications on the central theme of “Responsible NLP and Digital Cultural Heritage”, under the guidance of Professor Melissa Terras. Fellows will undertake a 2–3‑month residency in Edinburgh between January and March 2026, immersing themselves in an interdisciplinary academic setting .
Fellowship Theme: Responsible NLP & Digital Cultural Heritage
Fellows are expected to contribute to the advancement of Natural Language Processing (NLP) in the context of digital cultural heritage, including:
- Addressing linguistic bias in heritage datasets
- Computational methods for building language models from archives and GLAM collections
- Ethical and social dimensions of using heritage materials for AI research
- NLP applications that amplify marginalized voices within digitised collections
- Creative or practice-based interventions in text-based cultural artifacts
Who Should Apply
Candidates eligible for the fellowship include:
- Early‑career researchers within 8 years of completing a PhD, or within 6 years of their first academic appointment
- Applicants who have taken career breaks (e.g. for caregiving), with such interruptions acknowledged and considered in the application review process
The scheme explicitly encourages researchers from underrepresented backgrounds and LMICs (low‑ and middle‑income countries) to apply.
Fellowship Benefits
Participants receive:
- A stipend of up to £2,500 per month for living expenses, plus a £1,000 travel grant
- Visa fee reimbursement for the fellow and accompanying dependents if applicable
- Academic environment access: participation in seminars, events, training, and networking with doctoral students and supervisors
- Opportunities to deliver a public lecture, mentor, lead a masterclass, and contribute to a featured blog post
Institutional Context: Edinburgh Futures Institute
EFI is an interdisciplinary hub at the University of Edinburgh which draws together arts, humanities, social sciences, informatics, and other fields to address complex societal challenges. It supports research in six thematic areas: Creative Industries & Digital Humanities; Ethics of Data & Artificial Intelligence; Financial Services & Fintech; Future Infrastructure; Public Sector & Governance; Tourism & Festivals.
Fellows will be embedded within EFI’s vibrant academic community and work closely with the Centre for Doctoral Training in Designing Responsible NLP as well as doctoral cohorts.
Application Timeline & Procedure
- Deadline: 31 July 2025, 23:59 BST
- Selection: Virtual interviews expected by late August 2025
- Fellowship Period: January to March 2026 (flexible within that window)
To apply, candidates must:
- Complete the online application form
- Submit CV (max 2 pages), cover letter (1–2 pages), and concise research proposal outlining:
- Proposed research aligned to the scheme theme (max 500 words)
- Contextual connection with responsible NLP (max 250 words)
- Expected impact on professional development during the Edinburgh visit (max 500 words)
- Ideas for a masterclass workshop (max 200 words)
Submit all materials via the online form and email to [email protected] by the deadline.
Opportunities & Impact
Participants will:
- Expand international research networks and collaborations
- Engage with interdisciplinary dialogue at EFI and School of Informatics
- Gain visibility through lectures, masterclasses, and formal mentorship roles
- Develop skills in applying NLP to heritage collections in ethically robust ways, enriching both their professional trajectory and the doctoral training environment at Edinburgh
Call to Action
The Global Majority Fellowship 2025–2026 provides a unique platform for early‑career scholars from diverse backgrounds to explore responsible NLP applications within digital cultural heritage. It combines financial support, cross-disciplinary mentorship, and meaningful contributions to a doctoral training community at EFI. Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals early and secure a supportive academic sponsor within the University of Edinburgh.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
