The Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship 2024 – The Chevening Fellowship program, hosted by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, is accepting applications until 7 November 2023. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
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Overview
Here’s the timeline for the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship:
- Applications open on 12 September 2023 at noon BST.
- Applications close on 7 November 2023 at noon GMT.
- From 08 November 2023, applications are sifted against eligibility criteria.
- From mid-November to December 2023, applicants shortlisted for interviews will be notified.
- The deadline for references and education documents is in February 2024.
- Interviews will take place from early to mid-February 2024.
- OCIS will review applications and invite selected candidates for a second interview in May 2024.
- Results will be announced in June 2024.
- Selected candidates will complete the paperwork and start their visa application in June 2024.
- The 2024/25 Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (& Abdullah Gül) Fellowship program will run from October 2024 to March 2025.
Note: Please keep in mind that this timeline is subject to change.
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Introduction
These fellowships, a joint effort of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and OCIS, include:
1. Chevening OCIS Fellowship
2. Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship (specifically for Turkish citizens)
These opportunities target individuals in the middle of their careers, whether they’re academics or professionals. They aim to support those dedicated to promoting academic activities that foster a deeper understanding of Islamic culture, civilization, and contemporary Muslim societies.
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Program structure
Fellows in these programs will engage in 6 months of independent research. They’ll dedicate their efforts to their unique projects centered on exploring the culture and civilization of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies worldwide.
During this journey, fellows will have the privilege of connecting with a diverse group of scholars with a broad range of expertise in the Islamic world. This will allow them to establish valuable contacts and engage in discussions on various aspects of the Islamic world.
Topics of interest include Islamic history, classical Islamic sciences, economics, Islamic finance, public health, science and technology in the Muslim world, and the study of Muslims in the West.
In doing so, fellows play a crucial role in advancing the Centre’s mission to foster continuous dialogue and collaboration within the global academic community, promoting understanding of the culture and civilization of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies.
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OCIS serves as a hub for advanced studies on Islam and the Muslim world, bridging the gap between Western and Islamic realms of knowledge.
This fellowship program is set to commence in October 2024. Fellows are encouraged to outline their research projects before coming to the UK.
Throughout the duration of their award, fellows are required to reside in Oxford. For those seeking information on accommodation options in Oxford, OCIS can guide selection.
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Eligibility
The Chevening OCIS Abdullah Gül Fellowship is specifically for applicants from Turkey.
To be eligible for a Chevening OCIS Fellowship, here are the criteria:
1. Demonstrate the potential to achieve a position of leadership and influence.
2. Display personal, intellectual, and interpersonal attributes that reflect this potential.
3. Be a citizen of Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.
4. Commit to returning to your country of citizenship after the fellowship period.
5. Hold a postgraduate level qualification or have equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area at the time of application.
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6. Possess significant professional and/or academic research experience, with a minimum of five years.
7. Have a proficient level of English, which will be assessed in your application and during the interview.
8. Not hold British or dual-British citizenship.
9. Not be an employee, former employee, or a relative of an employee of various UK government entities or organizations, including the British Council and sponsoring UK universities.
Applicants who have previously received financial support from an HMG-funded scholarship or fellowship are eligible to apply after five years following the completion of their first HMG-funded award. In such cases, applicants must demonstrate their career progression from that point.
Applicants should also be prepared to present a brief proposal outlining their intended area of academic research at the time of application. This proposal should encompass a primary research question and how the applicant plans to conduct this research during their residency at the Centre.
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Benefits
During the six-month research period at OCIS, fellows can expect to receive the following:
1. Coverage of living expenses throughout the fellowship.
2. Round-trip economy airfare from their home country to the UK.
3. An allowance package to support research-related activities.
4. Access to a program of cultural events and activities coordinated by the FCDO and the Chevening Secretariat.
Additional eligibility criteria for Afghanistan applicants
The UK government and Chevening prioritize the safety and security of Afghans residing in Afghanistan.
After a thorough assessment, it has been determined that applicants currently in Afghanistan may face significant security risks, financial challenges, and logistical issues that are beyond the UK Government’s control.
Therefore, for the 2024/2025 academic year, only Afghans residing in UK Overseas Development Aid-eligible countries where Chevening operates, apart from Afghanistan, will be eligible to apply for a Chevening Scholarship or Fellowship.
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It’s important to note that a Chevening Scholarship is not an offer of resettlement to the UK. Applicants for Afghan Chevening awards must provide proof of legal residency in an ODA-eligible country other than Afghanistan.
Once their studies are completed, participants are expected to adhere to standard Chevening policies. This decision will be reviewed for the 2025/2026 academic year.
