2027 Chevening OCIS Fellowship Program UK (Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies) | Fully Funded

Applications are now open for the 2027 Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship Program, a prestigious fully funded fellowship jointly offered by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

The fellowship provides experienced professionals and researchers with the opportunity to undertake a five-month research programme at the University of Oxford, while receiving full financial support, including living expenses, return airfare, and research allowances.

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Chevening OCIS Fellowship, including its eligibility requirements, benefits, duration, and application process.

Chevening OCIS Fellowship 2027 Summary

• Host Institution: Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), United Kingdom
• Sponsored By: UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
• Program Type: Fellowship
• Eligible Countries: 22 Selected Countries (including Nigeria)
• Funding Type: Fully Funded
• Benefits:
  • Full Sponsorship
  • Living Expenses
  • Return Airfare
  • Research Allowance
  • Cultural and Networking Opportunities
• IELTS Required: No
• Application Deadline: October 6, 2026

About the Chevening OCIS Fellowship Program 2027

The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship is designed to promote a deeper understanding of the culture and civilisation of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies.

The fellowship allows selected scholars, researchers, and professionals to spend five months at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies conducting independent research on a project related to Islam and the Muslim world in a global context.

Participants will engage with an international community of scholars, contribute to academic dialogue, and participate in seminars, lectures, and cultural events organized by OCIS and the Chevening Secretariat.

Applicants are expected to develop a research proposal before the fellowship begins and must reside in Oxford for the duration of the programme.

The fellowship includes:

• Chevening OCIS Fellowship
• Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship (for Turkish citizens)

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the 2027 Chevening OCIS Fellowship, applicants must:

• Demonstrate strong leadership potential and the ability to influence positive change.
• Possess excellent personal, intellectual, and interpersonal qualities.
• Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries, including:
  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Egypt
  • Indonesia
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Libya
  • Malaysia
  • Morocco
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Occupied Palestinian Territories
  • Philippines
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Turkey
  • Tunisia
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan
• Return to their home country after completing the fellowship.
• Hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional training or experience.
• Have at least five years of professional and/or academic research experience.
• Demonstrate a good working knowledge of English.
• Not hold British or dual British citizenship.
• Not be an employee, former employee (within the last two years), or immediate relative of an employee of His Majesty’s Government, the British Council, a sponsoring UK university, or the Association of Commonwealth Universities, in accordance with Chevening eligibility rules.

Applicants must also submit a short research proposal outlining:

• Their proposed research topic.
• The main research question.
• The methodology they intend to use during the fellowship.

Applicants who previously received a UK Government-funded scholarship or fellowship may apply, provided at least five years have passed since completing the previous award and they can demonstrate career progression.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful fellows will receive:

• Full funding for a five-month fellowship at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.
• Monthly living expenses throughout the programme.
• Return economy airfare between their home country and the United Kingdom.
• Research-related allowance.
• Access to cultural events and networking activities organized by the FCDO and Chevening Secretariat.
• Opportunities to collaborate with leading international scholars and researchers.
• Participation in interdisciplinary discussions on:
  • Islamic history
  • Islamic finance and economics
  • Public health
  • Science and technology in the Muslim world
  • Classical Islamic sciences
  • Muslims in Western societies
• Access to Oxford’s academic environment and global research network.

Required Documents

Applicants should be prepared to submit:

• Completed online application form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Postgraduate degree certificate
• Research proposal
• Academic and professional references
• Supporting documents requested during the application process

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Chevening Fellowship application portal.
2. Select the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship.
3. Complete the online application form.
4. Prepare and upload all required supporting documents, including your research proposal.
5. Review your application carefully before submission.
6. Submit your application before the application deadline.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the interview stage as part of the selection process.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the 2027 Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship is October 6, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

APPLY HERE