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The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship 2026 is fully funded in the United Kingdom for mid-career professionals and academics who want to undertake self-directed research at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. The fellowship is offered through a collaboration between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and OCIS. It provides an opportunity to conduct research in Oxford while engaging with scholars working on Islam, Muslim societies, international relations, diplomacy and related areas.
The programme is open to eligible citizens and residents of several countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, the Philippines, Senegal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The Chevening OCIS Fellowship lasts for five months, normally from October to March. Fellows undertake their own research project at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and can access academic resources, mentorship and opportunities for academic and intercultural exchange. Chevening states that up to six fellowships are typically available through the OCIS-Chevening Visiting Fellowships programme.
WhatsApp ChannelChevening OCIS Fellowship 2026 Details
- Host country: United Kingdom
- Host institution: Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
- University: University of Oxford
- Fellowship type: Fully funded visiting fellowship
- Duration: Five months
- Programme period: October to March
- Number of fellows: Up to six
- Application Deadline: 6 October 2026
Also Check: Commonwealth Fellowships 2027 in the UK
What is the Chevening OCIS Fellowship?
The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship is designed for professionals and academics whose work contributes to a better understanding of the culture and civilisation of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies.
The programme allows fellows to develop their own research project during their residence at OCIS. Research can cover subjects connected with Islamic history, classical Islamic sciences, economics and Islamic finance, public health, science and technology in Muslim societies, Muslims in the West, diplomacy and international relations.
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is an independent centre affiliated with the University of Oxford. Its academic activities focus on the study of the Islamic world and its historical, cultural, intellectual and contemporary dimensions.
Also Check: OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 in Switzerland
Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship Benefits
The Chevening OCIS Fellowship is fully funded. According to the official fellowship information, successful fellows receive:
- A five-month research period at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
- Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship
- Return economy airfare from the fellow’s home country to the UK
- An allowance package for research-related or incidental expenses
- Access to academic resources and mentorship
- Opportunities to participate in academic and social activities at the Centre
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies also states that Chevening fellows are encouraged to take part in the Centre’s academic and social activities and contribute to international academic exchange.
Also Check: Commonwealth Startup Fellowships 2026-2027 in UK
Eligible Countries
The fellowship is available to citizens and residents of specific eligible countries. For the OCIS Fellowship, the list includes:
- 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
Applicants must be citizens of one of these countries and resident there at the time of application.
Chevening OCIS Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
In addition to the general Chevening Fellowship requirements, applicants for the OCIS Fellowship must meet programme-specific conditions.
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country
- Be resident in the eligible country at the time of application
- Hold a postgraduate-level qualification or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant field
- Have at least five years of significant professional and/or academic research experience
- Demonstrate leadership potential and the personal, intellectual and interpersonal qualities expected under the Chevening Fellowship programme
- Return to their country of citizenship for at least one year after completing the fellowship
Research Proposal Requirements
Applicants are expected to prepare a short proposal describing the academic research they would like to conduct while at OCIS.
The proposal should explain the main research question and describe how the applicant intends to conduct the research during the fellowship.
The research should fit with the broader academic focus of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and demonstrate why a period of research at the Centre would be relevant to the applicant’s work.
Selection Process
The Chevening OCIS Fellowship selection process includes two interview rounds.
British embassies or high commissions conduct the first interview. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their suitability for the fellowship, their professional or academic background, their motivation and their research interests.
Candidates who successfully pass the first stage are invited to a second interview with representatives of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. This interview focuses more closely on the applicant’s proposed research and academic interests.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is intended for mid-career professionals and academics, rather than students applying for a conventional degree programme.
It may be suitable for applicants whose professional or academic work relates to areas such as:
- Islamic history and civilisation
- Islamic studies
- Islamic economics and finance
- International relations
- Diplomacy
- Interfaith dialogue
- Public policy
- Muslim societies
- Science and technology in the Muslim world
- Public health
- Muslims in Western societies
- Contemporary issues affecting the Islamic world
Applicants should have sufficient professional or research experience to develop and complete an independent research project during their five-month stay.
How to Apply for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship
Applicants should apply online through the official Chevening application system.
The application process generally requires candidates to demonstrate their eligibility, professional or academic experience, leadership potential and suitability for the selected fellowship. OCIS applicants should also prepare a clear research proposal explaining their research question and methodology.
Before applying, candidates should review both the OCIS-specific requirements and the general Chevening Fellowship eligibility criteria.
