Discover a unique, fully funded fellowship opportunity designed for mid-career academics and professionals passionate about the culture and civilisation of Islam as well as contemporary Muslim societies. The prestigious Chevening OCIS Fellowship 2026 offers a five-month immersive research experience at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) in the United Kingdom. This comprehensive guide details everything about the fellowship, including benefits, eligibility, application tips, and more to help applicants maximize their success.
Basic Information about the Chevening OCIS Fellowship 2026
The The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship is a fully funded program for mid-career professionals and academics from selected countries who want to pursue research on Islamic culture, civilisation, and contemporary Muslim societies. The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies hosts the fellowship in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Chevening.
- Application Deadline: 7 October 2025 at 12:00 GMT
- Fellowship Start Date: October 2026
- Duration: Five months of full residency research at OCIS
- Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
- Start: October
- End: March
University / Institution Details: Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS)
OCIS is a renowned academic institution specializing in advanced studies of Islam and Muslim societies. It acts as an intellectual meeting point between Western and Islamic scholarship. Fellows will benefit from working alongside a multidisciplinary community of scholars researching Islamic history, finance, classical sciences, public health, and more.
The Centre provides support for accommodation options in Oxford and access to exclusive cultural events hosted in partnership with the Chevening Secretariat and FCDO.
Study Areas and Research Focus
During the fellowship, candidates will undertake independent, self-directed research projects in one or more of the following areas:
- Culture and civilisation of Islam in a global context
- Contemporary Muslim societies
- Islamic history and classical Islamic sciences
- Economics and Islamic finance
- Muslims in the West
- Public health, science, and technology in the Muslim world
This flexible research environment allows fellows to focus deeply on their specialized areas while contributing to global academic dialogue.
Chevening OCIS Fellowship Benefits
The Chevening OCIS Fellowship is fully funded, covering a broad scope of expenses to allow fellows to dedicate themselves fully to research:
- Five-month research placement at OCIS, Oxford
- Monthly living expenses stipend covering accommodation, food, transport, and personal costs
- Return economy airfare to and from the home country to the UK
- Allowance package for visa, insurance, and research-related activities
- Access to exclusive cultural programmes and networking events hosted by FCDO and Chevening Secretariat
- Opportunity to connect with renowned scholars and experts in the field
- Support with accommodation information in Oxford
Benefits Not Included
While the fellowship is generous, it does not cover:
- Costs related to family members or dependents
- Health insurance beyond travel insurance (applicants are advised to arrange adequate coverage)
- Any extra personal expenses beyond the monthly stipend and allowances
Eligibility Criteria for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship
To qualify for this prestigious fellowship, applicants must meet the following:
- Be a citizen and resident of one of the eligible countries at the time of application.
- Eligible countries include Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Türkiye, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan (Turkey citizens apply for the separate Abdullah Gül Fellowship)
- Hold a postgraduate-level qualification or equivalent professional training or experience at the time of application
- Have significant professional and/or academic research experience of at least five years
- Demonstrate leadership potential and influence in their field
- Show a strong command of English (assessed during application and interview)
- Commit to returning to their home country after completing the fellowship
- Not hold British or dual British citizenship
- Not be employees or close relatives of employees of UK government departments, British Council, UK universities, or the Association of Commonwealth Universities within the last two years
- Not have received UK government funding within the last five years, unless demonstrating career progression since the previous award
Required Documents for the Application
Applicants are expected to prepare a strong submission including:
- Detailed research proposal outlining the project to be pursued during the fellowship
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with academic and professional achievements
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Two references or letters of recommendation
- Proof of English language proficiency (where applicable)
- Valid passport and national identification documents
- Any other documents requested by the application portal or local British embassy/high commission
Chevening OCIS Fellowship Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide
- Prepare a detailed research proposal based on your area of interest within the fellowship’s research focus
- Check eligibility criteria for your country and ensure all documents are ready
- Apply online via the official Chevening Fellowships portal before the deadline (7 October 2025, 12:00 GMT)
- Submit all required supporting documents, including references and research proposal
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews, typically held between November 2025 and April 2026
- After successful interview and selection, await the final results announced from mid-June 2026
- Upon acceptance, arrange travel and accommodation in Oxford, and prepare to start your fellowship by October/November 2026
Tips for a Successful Application
- Start preparing your research proposal early, aligning it with OCIS’s thematic areas and showing clear scholarly impact
- Demonstrate leadership skills and potential influence in your academic or professional field
- Ensure your CV and references strongly support your candidacy and research capacity
- Highlight how you will use the fellowship experience to benefit your home country upon return
- Prepare thoroughly for the interview by reviewing common questions and being confident about your project and leadership qualities
- Follow application instructions carefully and submit all documents before the deadline
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in the UK (Approximate in USD)
While the fellowship provides a monthly stipend, applicants should be aware of typical living costs in Oxford:
- Accommodation: $800–$1,200
- Food and groceries: $250–$350
- Transportation (local): $60–$100
- Utilities and mobile phone: $80–$120
- Personal expenses and entertainment: $150–$250
The fellowship stipend is designed to cover these essentials comfortably during the five-month research residency.
Why Choose This Chevening OCIS Fellowship? 5 Reasons
- Fully Funded Research Fellowship: Covers airfare, living expenses, and research allowances allowing full focus on academic work
- Prestigious Institution: Affiliation with the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, a world-renowned research hub on Islam and Muslim societies
- Unique Research Opportunity: Engage in interdisciplinary dialogue on critical contemporary issues related to Islam and Muslim communities globally
- Professional Networking: Access to global scholars, policy makers, and cultural events facilitated by the UK government and Chevening network
- Career Advancement: Enhance your academic and professional profile with international recognition and development in leadership skills
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I apply if I am not from one of the eligible countries?
No, the fellowship is restricted to citizens of the specified eligible countries to foster regional academic growth.
Q2: Is this a degree-awarding program?
No, the Chevening OCIS Fellowship is a non-degree research placement focusing on self-directed academic research.
Q3: Can applicants bring family members?
The fellowship support does not cover costs for dependents or family members.
Q4: When will the fellowship start and end?
The fellowship starts around October/November 2026 and lasts for five months.
Q5: Is prior UK study experience necessary?
No prior UK study is required; however, English proficiency and relevant academic/professional background are essential.
Q6: How competitive is the fellowship?
Highly competitive; applicants must demonstrate leadership, strong research proposals, and commitment to their home country’s development.
For more details and official updates, applicants should consult the official Chevening website and fellowship portal regularly.
Official Link:
This comprehensive guide aims to help potential applicants prepare a standout application for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship 2026, a remarkable opportunity to contribute to scholarly understanding of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies at one of the world’s premier academic centers.