Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowships (OCIS) Now Open

The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowships, including the OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship, are now open for applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. Applications will be accepted until 5 November 2024.

About the Fellowships

These fellowships, a collaboration between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, are designed for mid-career academics or professionals dedicated to enhancing the understanding of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies. The fellowships include:

• Chevening OCIS Fellowship
• Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship (specifically for Turkish citizens)

Programme Structure

Fellows will undertake a five-month period of self-directed research on a project related to the culture and civilisation of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies. The fellowship will start in October 2024, and fellows are expected to develop their research project prior to arriving in the UK.

During their fellowship, participants will engage with a multidisciplinary group of scholars and develop contacts related to various fields such as Islamic history, classical sciences, economics, Islamic finance, public health, science and technology in the Muslim world, and the study of Muslims in the West. The goal is to contribute to the Centre’s objective of fostering sustained dialogue and collaboration in the global academic community.

Benefits of the Fellowship

The fellowship includes:

• A five-month period of research at OCIS
• Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship
• Return economy airfare from the home country to the UK
• Allowance for research-related activities
• Access to cultural events and activities organized by the FCDO and Chevening Secretariat

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship, candidates must:

• Demonstrate leadership potential and possess the personal, intellectual, and interpersonal attributes reflecting this potential
• Be a citizen of Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan
• Return to their home country at the end of the fellowship
• Hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area
• Have significant professional and/or academic research experience (at least five years)
• Have a good working knowledge of English, which will be assessed during the application and interview stages
• Not hold British or dual-British citizenship
• Not be or have been employed by or related to an employee of His Majesty’s Government or associated institutions in the last two years

For the Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship, only Turkish citizens are eligible.

Applicants who have previously received a HMG-funded scholarship or fellowship may apply after a period of five years, provided they demonstrate career progression since their last award.

Application Process and Timeline

Key dates for the Chevening OCIS Fellowships are:

• Applications Open: 6 August 2024 at 12:00 BST
• Applications Close: 5 November 2024 at 12:00 GMT
• Eligibility Screening: From 6 November 2024
• Shortlisting for Interviews: Mid-November 2024 to January 2025
• References and Documents Deadline: 19 February 2025
• Interviews: 26 February to 25 April 2025
• Results Announced: From May 2025
• Fellowship Period: October 2025 to March 2026

Important Notes

• Accommodation: Fellows must reside in Oxford during the fellowship. OCIS will provide information about accommodation options.
• Application Proposal: Applicants should prepare a brief proposal outlining their research area, including a main research question and methodology.

Note for Afghan Applicants

Applications for the OCIS Afghanistan Award for 2025/2026 are currently closed. Eligibility for this year’s programme is under review, and updates will be provided on the official page.

For further details and to apply, please visit the official Chevening website.