Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowships

Applications are now open for the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship. The program is aimed at mid-career academics or professionals who are dedicated to the promotion of academic activities that encourage a more informed understanding of the culture and civilization of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies.

This fellowship is a collaboration between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Six exceptional candidates will be selected to undertake self-directed research focusing on their own project. Fellows will explore the culture, civilization, and historical trajectories of Muslim societies, foster intercultural dialogue and academic exchange, and discuss issues relating to the Islamic world, including Islamic history, classical Islamic sciences, economics and Islamic finance, public health, science and technology in the Muslim world, and the study of Muslims in the West. The fellowship will take place at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

When submitting your application, you should be prepared to outline a short proposal on the area of academic research you would like to conduct. The proposal should include a main research question and how you intend to conduct this research while in residence at the centre. The selection process involves two rounds of interviews. The first interview will be with British embassies and high commissions, where you will explain your suitability, motivations, and research interests. Successful candidates will be invited to a second and final interview with representatives from OCIS, which will focus further on your research interests.

Program Details

• Host Institution(s): Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in the United Kingdom.
• Number of awards: Six.
• Duration: Five months (October to March).
• Target group: Open to citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.

Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Benefits

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship is a fully funded program that provides successful applicants with the following:

• 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 program of cultural events and activities organized by the FCDO and the Chevening Secretariat.

Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Eligibility

To be eligible for the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship, you must:

• Demonstrate the potential to rise to a position of leadership and influence.
• Demonstrate the personal, intellectual, and interpersonal attributes reflecting this potential.
• Be a citizen of one of the following countries and resident in one of these countries at the point of application: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.
• Return to the country of your citizenship at the end of the period of the fellowship.
• Hold a postgraduate level qualification (or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area) at the time of application.
• Have significant professional and/or academic research experience (at least five years).
• Have a good working knowledge of English to be assessed in your application form and if you are invited to interview.
• Not hold British or dual-British citizenship.
• Not be an employee, a former employee, or relative of an employee of His Majesty’s Government, the British Council, or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

How to Apply for the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

Please click on the apply button below and follow the given instructions to submit your application.

The deadline to submit applications is 6 October 2026, at 11:00 (UTC). For more details on this fellowship program, please visit the official page.