The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship supports mid-career professionals and academics interested in research on the culture and civilisation of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies. The fellowship is a collaboration between the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Fellows undertake five months of research at OCIS, with applications open until 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship
Category: Fellowship
Host: Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Collaboration: UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and OCIS
Duration: Five months
Fellowship Period: October to March
Application Deadline: 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC
Eligible Applicants: Mid-career professionals and academics meeting the stated eligibility requirements
About the Chevening OCIS Fellowship
The Chevening OCIS Fellowship provides selected participants with a five-month period at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.
The programme is intended for professionals and academics whose work contributes to a better-informed understanding of Islamic culture and civilisation and contemporary Muslim societies.
Six candidates are selected to undertake self-directed research based on their own proposed projects. The fellowship also creates opportunities to examine global challenges through Islamic thought, diplomacy, contemporary policy and related academic perspectives.
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Programme Purpose and Research Focus
Fellows conduct independent research while engaging with the academic environment of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.
The programme gives fellows opportunities to:
✓ Explore the culture, civilisation and historical trajectories of Muslim societies
✓ Foster inter-civilisational dialogue and academic exchange
✓ Discuss issues connected to the Islamic world
✓ Access academic resources and mentorship
✓ Participate in intercultural dialogue and intellectual exchange
✓ Strengthen leadership skills and policy insight
The programme may involve discussion of areas 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.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet Chevening’s standard eligibility criteria as well as the specific requirements of the OCIS Fellowship.
Candidates must:
• Be a citizen of an eligible country and reside in that country when applying.
• Hold a postgraduate-level qualification, or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area.
• Have significant professional and/or academic research experience of at least five years.
Eligible countries listed for this fellowship 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
• Uzbekistan
The official page notes that citizens of Afghanistan and Sudan remain eligible to apply for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship despite restrictions affecting Study Visas, because those restrictions do not affect fellowship visa routes.
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Funding and What Fellows Receive
Each Chevening OCIS Fellowship includes financial and research-related support for the five-month fellowship period.
Confirmed support includes:
✓ Five months of research at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
✓ Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship
✓ Return economy airfare
✓ An allowance package for research-related activities
Fellows also gain access to academic resources and mentorship while participating in the intellectual environment of OCIS.
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Research Proposal and Application Preparation
Applicants should be prepared to outline a short proposal describing the academic research they intend to conduct during the fellowship.
The proposal should include:
• The main research question
• The proposed area of academic research
• An explanation of how the applicant intends to conduct the research while in residence at the centre
Applicants should therefore develop a clear research direction before submitting their application.
Selection Process
The Chevening OCIS Fellowship selection process includes two rounds of interviews.
The first interview is conducted with British embassies and high commissions. Candidates should be ready to explain their suitability for the fellowship, their motivation and their research interests.
Successful candidates from this stage are invited to a second and final interview with representatives from the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.
The final interview focuses further on the applicant’s research interests.
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How to Submit an Application
Applications are submitted through Chevening’s official application system.
Before submitting, candidates should:
• Review the fellowship-specific eligibility requirements.
• Ensure they also satisfy Chevening’s standard eligibility criteria.
• Prepare the proposed area of academic research.
• Define the main research question for the project.
• Explain how the research would be conducted while in residence at OCIS.
• Complete and submit the application through the official Chevening application system.
Candidates who progress through the selection process should also prepare to discuss their professional or academic background, motivations and proposed research during the interview stages.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship is:
6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official Chevening application link below.
Apply for the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship
