Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship and OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship

📖 About the Fellowship

The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowships are designed for mid-career academics or professionals committed to promoting academic activities that foster a deeper understanding of the culture and civilization of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies.

Fellowship Types:

• 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 at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), focusing on their own project related to the culture and civilization of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies in a global context.
• Fellows will engage with a multidisciplinary group of scholars, develop contacts, and contribute to discussions on topics such as:
  • Islamic history
  • Classical Islamic sciences
  • Economics and Islamic finance
  • Public health
  • Science and technology in the Muslim world
  • Study of Muslims in the West
• Fellows will contribute to OCIS’s mission to encourage sustained dialogue and collaboration within the global academic community.

Residency:

• Fellows must reside in Oxford for the duration of their fellowship.
• OCIS will provide information about accommodation options upon selection.

🎁 Benefits

• 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 package for research-related activities.
• Access to a programme of cultural events and activities organized by the FCDO and the Chevening Secretariat.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:

1. Leadership Potential: Demonstrate the ability to rise to a position of leadership and influence.
2. Personal Attributes: Showcase personal, intellectual, and interpersonal qualities reflecting leadership potential.
3. Citizenship: Be a citizen and resident of one of the following countries:
   • Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.
4. Return Requirement: Commit to returning to their country of citizenship at the end of the fellowship.
5. Education: Hold a postgraduate-level qualification (or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant area).
6. Experience: Have at least five years of significant professional and/or academic research experience.
7. English Proficiency: Possess a good working knowledge of English, assessed during the application and interview process.
8. Citizenship Restrictions: Not hold British or dual-British citizenship.
9. Employment Restrictions: Not be an employee, former employee, or relative* of an employee of His Majesty’s Government or related organizations within the last two years.
10. Previous HMG Scholarship: Applicants who previously received financial benefit from an HMG-funded scholarship or fellowship are eligible after a five-year gap following the completion of their first award.

Additional Notes:

• Applicants must prepare a short proposal outlining their research project, including the main research question and methodology, at the time of application submission.

🔍 Selection Process

The selection process involves two rounds of interviews:

1. First Round: Conducted by British embassies and high commissions, focusing on the applicant’s suitability, motivations, and research interests.
2. Second Round: Conducted by representatives from OCIS, focusing further on the applicant’s research interests.

📅 Application Date and Deadline

• Application Deadline: 07 October, 2025

📝 Application Process

• Visit the Chevening Fellowship Portal for detailed information.
• Apply directly via the Chevening Application Portal.

🌟 Sponsor Organisation

• Chevening

📧 Contact Information

For further inquiries, visit the official Chevening website.

This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to academic research and dialogue on Islamic culture and civilization while engaging with a global academic community. Apply now to be part of this prestigious programme!

• Five-month period of research at OCIS.
• Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship.
• Return economy airfare from home country to the UK.
• Allowance package for research-related activities.
• Access to a programme of cultural events and activities organised by the FCDO and the Chevening Secretariat.