Applications are now open for the 2027 Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Fellowship Programme, a fully funded fellowship for experienced professionals and researchers from selected countries, including Nigeria.
Jointly funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), the fellowship supports five months of self-directed research on Islam, Muslim societies, and related contemporary issues at the University of Oxford.
2027 Chevening OCIS Fellowship Programme Summary
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Host Institution: Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS)
- Programme Type: Fellowship
- Eligible Countries: 22 selected countries, including Nigeria
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Application Deadline: October 6, 2026
About the Chevening OCIS Fellowship Programme
The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship enables outstanding professionals and academics to undertake a five-month research programme at OCIS.
The fellowship promotes a deeper understanding of the culture and civilisation of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies while encouraging dialogue between the Islamic world and Western academia. Fellows conduct independent research based on a proposal developed before arrival and are expected to reside in Oxford throughout the fellowship.
The programme includes two fellowship streams:
- Chevening OCIS Fellowship
- Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship (for Turkish citizens)
Fellowship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Full sponsorship for the five-month fellowship
- Monthly living allowance
- Return economy airfare to and from the United Kingdom
- Research-related allowance
- Access to cultural events and activities organised by Chevening and the FCDO
- Opportunities to collaborate with leading scholars and researchers
- Access to academic resources and professional networks at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country (including Nigeria).
- Return to their country of citizenship after completing the fellowship.
- Hold a postgraduate qualification or possess equivalent professional experience.
- Have at least five years of relevant professional or academic research experience.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and the ability to influence positive change.
- Demonstrate a good working knowledge of English.
- Develop a research proposal focusing on Islam, Muslim societies, or related fields.
- Not hold British or dual British citizenship.
- Not be an employee, former employee (within the previous 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.
- Meet all additional Chevening eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
To apply for the Chevening OCIS Fellowship Programme:
- Visit the official Chevening Fellowship application portal.
- Select the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship.
- Complete the online application form.
- Prepare and upload all required documents.
- Submit your research proposal as part of your application.
- Submit your application before the deadline.
📋 Required Documents
- Valid passport or national identification
- Research proposal
- Academic certificates
- Professional experience details
- Reference letters (if required)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Completed online application form
- Any additional documents requested during the application process