Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship 2026

The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship 2026–2027 is a fully supported five-month research fellowship in the United Kingdom for experienced professionals and academics interested in Islamic culture, Muslim societies, international relations, diplomacy, interfaith dialogue and contemporary policy.

The fellowship is hosted by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and is offered through a collaboration between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and OCIS.

Fellowship Overview

The programme gives six exceptional candidates the opportunity to undertake self-directed research based on their own research project.

Fellows can explore areas including:

Islamic history and classical Islamic sciences
Islamic economics and Islamic finance
Public health
Science and technology in the Muslim world
Muslims in Western societies
Culture and civilisation of Muslim societies
Inter-civilisational dialogue
International relations and diplomacy
Contemporary policy issues

The fellowship also provides opportunities for academic exchange, mentorship and engagement with researchers and experts at Oxford.

Duration

The fellowship lasts five months:

Start: October 2026
End: March 2027
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the standard Chevening Fellowship eligibility requirements and the specific OCIS requirements.

You must:

Be a citizen of an eligible country and resident there at the time of application.
Hold a postgraduate-level qualification, or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant area.
Have at least five years of significant professional and/or academic research experience.

Eligible countries listed in the supplied announcement are:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Applicants should also be prepared to explain their motivation, suitability and research interests during the selection process.

Research Proposal

A key part of the application is the proposed research project.

Applicants should outline:

Their proposed research area
A clear research question
How they intend to conduct the research while at OCIS
Why the proposed research is relevant to their academic or professional interests

The fellowship is designed around self-directed research, allowing fellows to develop their own projects during their residence.

What Does the Fellowship Provide?

Each successful fellow receives:

A five-month research period at OCIS
Living expenses for the fellowship
Return economy-class airfare
An allowance package for research-related activities
Access to academic resources and mentorship
Opportunities for intercultural dialogue and intellectual exchange
Opportunities to strengthen leadership and policy skills

Selection Process

The selection process involves two interview rounds.

First Interview

The first interview is conducted with British embassies or high commissions.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss:

Their suitability for the fellowship
Their motivation
Their professional and academic background
Their proposed research interests

Final Interview

Successful candidates from the first stage proceed to a second interview with representatives from the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

This interview focuses more closely on the candidate’s research interests.

Application Deadline

Applications are open until:

6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC

Interested candidates should submit their applications before the deadline through the official Chevening application system.

Apply for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship

Important Visa Note

The supplied announcement states that Afghanistan and Sudan citizens remain eligible to apply for this fellowship despite recent UK visa restrictions affecting Study Visas. The announcement specifically distinguishes the fellowship visa route from the Study Visa route and directs applicants to the UK Government for the latest visa information.

Key Details

Category	Details
Fellowship	Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship
Academic year	2026–2027
Location	Oxford, UK
Host	Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Duration	5 months
Start	October 2026
End	March 2027
Number of fellows	6
Target group	Mid-career professionals and academics
Experience	At least 5 years
Qualification	Postgraduate qualification or equivalent
Airfare	Return economy airfare
Living support	Provided
Research support	Allowance provided
Deadline	6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC

Who Should Apply?

This fellowship is particularly relevant to experienced professionals and academics whose work intersects with Islamic studies, Muslim societies, diplomacy, international relations, policy, public health, economics, finance, science, technology, culture or interfaith dialogue.

It is not an entry-level scholarship or master’s programme. Applicants need substantial professional or academic research experience and must be prepared to undertake an independent research project.

Official Chevening OCIS Fellowship information

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