The Chevening OCIS Fellowship Program promotes academic research that enhances understanding of Islamic culture and civilization as well as contemporary Muslim societies. This prestigious UK government-funded opportunity is hosted by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) and is fully funded, covering:
* Living expenses
* Return air travel
* A research-related allowance package
Fellowship Types
There are two types of fellowships available under the Chevening OCIS umbrella:
1. Chevening OCIS Fellowship
2. Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship (specifically for Turkish citizens)
Both fellowships support independent research on topics related to the culture and civilization of Islam and Muslim societies in a global context.
What Fellows Will Do
* Undertake a 5-month period of self-directed research based on a proposed project
* Be based in Oxford throughout the fellowship
* Contribute to academic dialogue on issues such as:
- Islamic history and civilization
- Islamic finance and economics
- Public health in Muslim societies
- Classical Islamic sciences
- Muslims in the West
- Science and technology in Muslim communities
Note: Fellows will also benefit from cultural events, seminars, and interactions with multidisciplinary scholars.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship 2026, applicants must:
1. Be a citizen of one of the following countries:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
2. Return to their country of citizenship at the end of the fellowship
3. Hold a postgraduate-level qualification (or equivalent professional training/experience)
4. Have at least five years of professional and/or academic research experience
5. Demonstrate leadership potential and strong interpersonal, intellectual, and communication skills
6. Have a good working knowledge of English (assessed during application/interview)
7. Not hold British or dual-British citizenship
8. Not be an employee of His Majesty’s Government, a British Council or Chevening partner institution staff member, relative of any of the above
Note: Applicants who have previously benefited from a UK government scholarship can reapply only after a 5-year gap, with evidence of career growth since the prior award.
Research Proposal Requirement
Applicants must submit a short research proposal during the application process. The proposal must include:
* A main research question
* A brief explanation of how the applicant plans to conduct the research while at OCIS
Fellowship Benefits
* Fully-funded 5-month research stay in Oxford
* Living allowance during the program
* Return economy airfare
* Allowance for research-related activities
* Access to exclusive cultural and academic events organized by Chevening and FCDO
* Integration into a global network of scholars
How to Apply
To apply for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship 2026:
1. Visit the Chevening Fellowship Application Portal
2. Create an account
3. Complete and submit the fellowship application form
4. Upload all required documents, including your research proposal
Deadline: October 7, 2025 (12:00 PM UK Time)
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