UK Government Chevening OCIS and Abdullah Gül Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the prestigious Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship and the Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship for the 2026/27 academic year. Hosted by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), these fellowships offer mid-career academics and professionals the opportunity to engage in world-class research focusing on Islamic culture, civilisation, and contemporary Muslim societies.

The deadline for applications is 7 October 2025 at 12:00 GMT.

Successful fellows will receive:

• A five-month fully funded research placement at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

• Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship.

• Return economy airfare from home country to the UK.

• Research-related allowances for project activities.

• Access to exclusive cultural events and networking opportunities organised by the FCDO and Chevening Secretariat.

• Support from OCIS, including advice on accommodation in Oxford.

These fellowships are non-degree research programmes designed for mid-career professionals and academics who hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional training.

Fellows will focus on self-directed research in 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

• Chevening OCIS Fellowship: Open to citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Türkiye, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.

• Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship: Exclusively available to citizens of Türkiye.

Applicants must:

• Demonstrate leadership potential and influence in their field.

• Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed above.

• Commit to returning to their home country after the fellowship.

• Hold a postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional training/experience.

• Have at least five years of professional or academic research experience.

• Have a strong working knowledge of English.

• Not hold British or dual-British citizenship.

• Not be an employee or close relative of an employee of His Majesty’s Government, the British Council, UK universities, or the Association of Commonwealth Universities (within the last two years).

• Be eligible if they have previously received UK government funding, provided at least five years have passed since completion.

1. Visit the official Chevening Fellowships portal.

2. Select Chevening OCIS Fellowship or Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship.

3. Complete the online application form by 7 October 2025 (12:00 GMT).

4. Submit supporting documents, including a research proposal, CV, and references.

5. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

6. Successful fellows will begin their research at Oxford University in October 2026.

Final Note

The Chevening OCIS and Abdullah Gül Fellowships are exceptional opportunities for professionals committed to advancing research and dialogue on Islamic civilisation and contemporary Muslim societies. With world-class resources at Oxford and support from the UK government, fellows will contribute to global understanding and collaboration.

Application Deadline: 7 October 2025 (12:00 GMT)