2026 Chevening OCIS Fellowship UK: Fully Funded

2026 Chevening OCIS Fellowship Programme in the UK – Full Sponsorship at Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

The 2026 Chevening OCIS Fellowship Programme is now open to experienced professionals and academics from selected countries, including Nigeria.

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Hosted by the UK Government in collaboration with the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), this prestigious fellowship supports individuals committed to deepening global understanding of Islamic culture, civilisation, and contemporary Muslim societies.

This fully funded opportunity covers living expenses, round-trip airfare, and a research allowance, giving fellows the chance to pursue independent research in an enriching academic environment at Oxford.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the fellowship details, eligibility criteria, benefits, and how to apply.

Overview of the 2026 Chevening OCIS Fellowship

• Host Institution: Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, UK
• Programme Type: Fellowship

Fellowship Categories:

• Chevening OCIS Fellowship
• Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship (for Turkish citizens)
• Eligible Countries: 22 countries, including Nigeria
• IELTS Requirement: Not required
• Deadline: October 7, 2025
• Duration: 5 months
• Start Date: October 2026
• Funding: Fully Funded

Fellowship Focus and Objectives

Fellows will undertake self-directed research over five months at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

Research should explore themes related to the culture and civilisation of Islam or contemporary Muslim societies in a global context.

The Centre serves as a hub for advanced studies, fostering dialogue between the Western and Islamic worlds of learning. Fellows will be immersed in an intellectual community dedicated to scholarly excellence and cross-cultural exchange.

What the Fellowship Covers

• Successful applicants will receive:
• Full living expenses for the entire fellowship duration
• Return economy airfare to the UK
• Allowance to support research-related activities
• Access to a vibrant programme of cultural events and networking opportunities coordinated by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Chevening Secretariat
• Engagement with a multi-disciplinary group of scholars, focused on Islamic studies, public health, Islamic finance, history, science and technology, and more

Eligibility Criteria for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship 2026

To be considered for the 2026 OCIS Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan
• Return to their home country after the fellowship ends
• Hold a postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Have at least five years of professional or academic experience in a relevant field
• Demonstrate leadership potential and strong interpersonal and intellectual abilities
• Have a good working knowledge of English
• Not hold British or dual British citizenship
• Not be a current or recent employee (within the past 2 years) of His Majesty’s Government, the British Council, a sponsoring UK university, or the Association of Commonwealth Universities

Note: Immediate relatives of employees from the above-mentioned organisations are also ineligible.

Applicants who have previously benefited from a UK Government-funded scholarship may reapply only after a five-year period, demonstrating significant career progression since their last award.

Research Proposal Requirement

As part of the application, candidates must submit a short research proposal detailing:

• A main research question
• The scope and objectives of the study
• How the research will be carried out while in residence at OCIS
• This proposal should align with the Centre’s mission of promoting academic study on Islam and Muslim societies.

How to Apply for the 2026 Chevening OCIS Fellowship

Interested and qualified candidates should complete the application through the official Chevening Fellowship portal.

           CLICK HERE TO APPLY