2027 Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship at Durham University

The Mohamed Ali Foundation is inviting applications for its 2027 Fellowship Programme, hosted at Durham University, UK. The fellowship supports scholars undertaking research on the Abbas Hilmi II Papers, a significant archival collection relating to the reign of Khedive Abbas Hilmi II and an important period in Egyptian history and East-West relations.

The 2027 fellowship is particularly suited to early-career postdoctoral researchers and established scholars whose research connects with the themes identified by the fellowship’s Advisory Panel.

About the Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship

The Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship Programme was established to encourage scholarly research into the Abbas Hilmi II Papers held at Durham University and to make the collection more widely known to researchers.

The programme began in 2019 and is based at Durham University, where it is jointly tenable in the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (IMEIS) and Grey College.

Fellows will conduct research on an agreed topic using the Abbas Hilmi II Papers and will deliver a lecture at Durham University. Their research will ultimately contribute to a volume of original scholarship, while lectures are also published through Durham University’s Middle East Papers series.

Research Areas for the 2027 Fellowship

For the final year of the fellowship programme, the Advisory Panel is particularly interested in applications addressing the following areas:

• Infrastructure in its social and political context
• The use of new technologies to promote and publicise the Khedive to a wide audience
• Gender dynamics within the Khedival family and Egyptian society during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
• The Khedive’s estate and holdings, particularly their management through mechanisms such as waqf
• The nationalist movement and its relationship with the Khedive
• Political activism, particularly secret organisations and the use of methods such as assassination as political protest

Applicants may propose alternative research topics, provided they are well grounded in the Abbas Hilmi II Papers and supported by their application proposal.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is open to:

• Early-career postdoctoral scholars
• Established scholars

Applicants should note that making full use of the collection will often require good reading knowledge of:

• Arabic
• Ottoman Turkish
• French
• English

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the online catalogue of the Abbas Hilmi II Papers before preparing their proposal.

Fellowship Location and Research Access

The fellowship is based at Durham University and provides fellows with access to departmental and university facilities, including the University Library and Computing and Information Services.

The fellowship normally provides accommodation at Durham during the Easter Term, from April to June 2027. However, there is flexibility to arrange residency during different terms according to the fellow’s availability.

In some circumstances, fellows may be permitted to conduct their fellowship from Cairo or Istanbul, making use of the digitised collection, which is freely accessible online.

All fellows are expected to visit Durham, at least briefly, to deliver their fellowship lecture in June.

Fellowship Support

Fellows who reside at Durham will be encouraged to participate in the University’s academic and collegiate life, including seminars and other scholarly activities.

The fellowship provides:

• An honorarium upon completion of the fellowship
• Accommodation for the duration of the fellowship
• All meals during the fellowship
• A research travel grant
• Access to Durham University facilities and academic resources

What Applicants Need to Submit

Applicants must complete both stages of the application process.

Stage 1: Complete the Application Form

Applicants must complete the official Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship Application Form.

Stage 2: Submit Supporting Documents

Applicants must send:

• A 2–3 page Project Proposal
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)

These documents should be sent to:

maf.fellow@durham.ac.uk

Applicants must complete both stages for their application to be considered.

Application Deadline

📅 Deadline: Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Applications must be received by the deadline.

For enquiries regarding the fellowship, applicants can contact:

📧 maf.fellow@durham.ac.uk

How to Apply

Interested researchers should review the fellowship information, familiarise themselves with the Abbas Hilmi II Papers, and prepare a research proposal that demonstrates how their project will make meaningful use of the collection.

APPLICATION FORM

Applicants can find additional information about the fellowship programme and application process on the Durham University fellowship page.

Conclusion

The 2027 Mohamed Ali Foundation Fellowship offers researchers an opportunity to undertake focused archival research into the Abbas Hilmi II Papers while engaging with Durham University’s academic community. With the programme entering its final year, researchers whose work aligns with the identified themes are encouraged to carefully review the collection and prepare a well-grounded proposal before the October 20, 2026 deadline.

For more opportunities, visit: www.opportunitiesforyouth.org