Apply Now for Global Majority Fellowship 2025–2026 at the University of Edinburgh

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Application Deadline: July 31, 2025

The UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Designing Responsible Natural Language Processing (NLP) at the University of Edinburgh is now accepting applications for its prestigious Global Majority Fellowship Scheme for 2025–2026. Hosted at the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) and the School of Informatics, this immersive fellowship invites early-career researchers and professionals from underrepresented communities—commonly referred to as the Global Majority—to contribute to the future of responsible AI and NLP.

This transformative opportunity aims to amplify voices historically excluded from AI discourse by enabling fellows to bring unique perspectives to the design and deployment of NLP technologies. Fellows will work alongside a vibrant, interdisciplinary AI community, mentoring doctoral students and engaging in high-impact research.

Fellowship Focus: Responsible NLP and Digital Cultural Heritage

The 2025–2026 fellowship centers on the integration of NLP with Digital Cultural Heritage. Applicants are encouraged to explore forward-thinking yet responsible uses of NLP in the context of digitized cultural collections—archives, libraries, museums, and more.

Key research themes include:

  • Addressing linguistic biases in historical and cultural datasets
  • Developing language models from heritage archives
  • Re-centering marginalized voices within large-scale digitized collections
  • Navigating the legal, ethical, and social implications of using cultural data in NLP
  • Exploring intersections between NLP and advanced AI tools like text recognition
  • Practice-led and creative interventions that push the boundaries of responsible NLP

This topic will be supported and supervised by Professor Melissa Terras, an expert in digital humanities and heritage technology.

What the Fellowship Offers

This fully funded fellowship provides:

  • 2–3 month residency in Edinburgh during the academic semester (January–March 2026)
  • Monthly stipend of £2,500 to cover living expenses
  • Travel allowance of £1,000
  • Visa fees covered for you and your dependants (if applicable)
  • Access to Edinburgh’s research community, including the School of Informatics, EFI, and the Centre for Doctoral Training
  • Opportunities to present a public lecture, lead a masterclass, and contribute to EFI’s broader events
  • Mentorship and cross-disciplinary collaboration with faculty and doctoral students
  • A featured blog spotlight on your fellowship journey

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Who Can Apply?

This fellowship is designed for early-career professionals and researchers who:

  • Are within 8 years of completing their PhD or equivalent professional qualification
  • OR are within 6 years of their first academic appointment (teaching or research role)
  • Have a strong interest in responsible NLP and its applications in the cultural or digital humanities sectors
  • Identify as part of the Global Majority—including individuals who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, Indigenous to the Global South, or racialized as ethnic minorities

Career breaks, including maternity or caregiving leave, are fully recognized in the eligibility criteria.

Timeline & Application Details

Application Deadline: July 31, 2025 (by 23:59 BST)
Virtual Interviews: Late August 2025
Fellowship Period: Between January and March 2026

How to Apply

Applicants must complete two steps by the deadline:

  1. Submit the application form via the tje portal.
  2. Send the following documents via email to gmf.nlp@inf.ed.ac.uk:
    • CV (max 2 pages): Highlighting your academic and professional achievements, relevant projects, and publications
    • Cover Letter (1–2 pages): Explaining your interest, qualifications, and relevance to the fellowship focus
    • Research Proposal, including:
      • Research topic (max 500 words)
      • Your alignment with responsible NLP (max 250 words)
      • How this fellowship will support your development (max 500 words)
      • Proposed masterclass topic (max 200 words)

All materials must be submitted by July 31, 2025, 23:59 BST to be considered.

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE

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