Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship

Benefits & funding

• A five-month period of research at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, running October to March.
• Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship.
• Return economy airfare from the home country to the UK.
• An allowance package for research-related activities.
• Access to cultural events organised by the FCDO and the Chevening Secretariat.
• Fellows live in Oxford for the award period.

Eligibility

• Citizenship of, and residence 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, Philippines, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
• A postgraduate-level qualification at the time of application, or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area.
• At least five years of significant professional or academic research experience; Chevening counts five years as 7,200 hours.
• A good working knowledge of English.
• British and dual British citizens are not eligible, unless they are citizens of a British Overseas Territory.
• No UK government scholarship funding received in the previous five years.
• Employees, recent employees and close relatives of staff at UK government bodies, the British Council and sponsoring universities face restrictions under the general Chevening rules.
• Fellows must return to their country of citizenship for at least one year after the fellowship ends.
• Chevening notes that citizens of Afghanistan and Sudan cannot currently obtain a UK Study Visa, and that this does not affect the fellowship visa route.

Application process

1. 1
   Check the eligible country list and the general Chevening fellowship criteria.
2. 2
   Prepare a short research proposal that states a main research question and the methodology you would use during the fellowship.
3. 3
   Apply online through the Chevening application system, selecting your country and this fellowship, before the deadline.
4. 4
   Shortlisted applicants interview with the British embassy or high commission in their country, covering their suitability and research interests.
5. 5
   Finalists interview with representatives of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, focused on the research proposal.

Program timeline

1. 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC

   Application deadline for the 2027/28 fellowship

2. After the deadline

   First-round interviews with British embassies and high commissions

3. Final round

   Interviews with Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies representatives

4. Fellowship begins in Oxford

   October 2027

5. Fellowship ends

   March 2028