Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship Programme 2027 in the United Kingdom

Applications are now open for the Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship Programme 2027, a prestigious research fellowship hosted by Durham University in the United Kingdom. Established by the Mohamed Ali Foundation, the fellowship supports scholars conducting original research using the Abbas Hilmi II Papers, one of the world's most significant archival collections on modern Egyptian history and the late Ottoman period. The programme aims to deepen scholarly understanding of a transformative era in Egypt and East-West relations while promoting wider academic engagement with this unique historical collection.

The 2027 fellowship marks the final year of the programme and offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career and established researchers to spend time at Durham University conducting archival research. Fellows will receive financial support, accommodation, meals, and a research travel grant while working alongside leading experts in Middle Eastern and historical studies.

About the Fellowship

The Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship was established to encourage scholarly research on the Abbas Hilmi II Papers, an important archival collection housed at Durham University. The collection documents the reign of Khedive Abbas Hilmi II (1892–1914), providing valuable insights into Egyptian political, social, and economic history during a period of significant transformation.

The fellowship seeks to expand academic knowledge of this pivotal era by supporting researchers whose work will contribute to new perspectives on Egypt's history, governance, society, and international relations. Fellows are expected to make extensive use of the archival materials while producing high-quality research that advances understanding of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Priority Research Areas

Applicants are particularly encouraged to submit proposals related to one or more of the following themes:

• Infrastructure and its social and political context.
• The use of new technologies to promote and publicize the Khedive.
• Gender dynamics within the Khedival family and Egyptian society during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
• The Khedive's estates and financial holdings, including the management of assets through waqf.
• The Egyptian nationalist movement and its relationship with the Khedive.
• Political activism and the activities of secret organizations during the period.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful fellows will receive a comprehensive support package, including:

• An honorarium upon successful completion of the fellowship.
• Accommodation throughout the fellowship period.
• All meals during the residency.
• A research travel grant to support travel associated with the fellowship.
• Full access to the Abbas Hilmi II archival collection.
• Opportunities to engage with leading academics at Durham University.
• The chance to contribute to research on one of the most important periods in Egyptian history.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be an early-career (postdoctoral) researcher or an established scholar.
• Demonstrate a strong academic background relevant to the proposed research.
• Possess good reading knowledge of Arabic, Ottoman Turkish, French, and English, as the archival collection contains materials in these languages.
• Submit a research proposal aligned with the fellowship's objectives and priority themes.

Required Application Documents

Applicants are required to submit:

• A completed fellowship application form.
• A research project proposal (2–3 pages).
• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Both the application form and supporting documents must be submitted for an application to be considered.

Why You Should Apply

The Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship offers historians and scholars a rare opportunity to work with an internationally significant archival collection that is not widely accessible elsewhere. Beyond financial support, the fellowship provides an intellectually stimulating environment where fellows can collaborate with experts in Middle Eastern studies and contribute to important historical scholarship.

For researchers specializing in Egyptian history, Ottoman studies, colonial history, political history, or Middle Eastern studies, the fellowship provides valuable resources to strengthen ongoing research, publish scholarly work, and expand professional networks within the academic community.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Complete the official fellowship application form.
2. Prepare a 2–3-page research proposal outlining the objectives, methodology, and expected contribution of the project.
3. Update their Curriculum Vitae.
4. Submit both the completed application form and supporting documents to the email address specified by the organizers before the application deadline.