Visiting Fellowships

Would you like to spend a period of between 3 and 9 months at Oxford as part of Oxford Nizami Ganjavi Centre (ONGC)? Through our Visiting Fellowship scheme you can apply to spend time in Oxford in order to pursue an independent research project relevant to the study of the history, languages and cultures of Azerbaijan, the Caucasus and Central Asia. As a Visiting Fellow you will be able to access many of the research and library resources of Oxford University and will have full access to the events and activities of the ONGC and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Please note applicants should hold a doctorate or equivalent qualification and should not be members of the University of Oxford or ordinarily resident in Oxford or its vicinity. Please note applicants should also be employed by a home institution. 

The ONGC provides the following for Visiting Fellows:

  • A monthly allowance of £2,500 to cover expenses, such as travel, accommodation and subsistence costs, to support your research visit in Oxford, as well as a single payment of up to £500 for travel expenses between home and Oxford. 

  • Dedicated shared working space in the ONGC Room, located in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. 

  • A university card, which gives access to the Bodleian Libraries of the University, including online journals.

  • Inclusion in relevant mailing lists advertising events related to Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. 

  • Access to teaching rooms in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies for seminar events if required and subject to availability.

The ONGC is not able to provide assistance with any local logistics such as accommodation, schools, and travel bookings/VISAS. We ask that you do not request these services from our administrative staff. The ONGC does not offer advice on non-employees family visas and anyone who wishes to do so should contact the university immigration office. 

We ask all our Visiting Fellows to agree to the following:

  • To contribute to the research environment of the ONGC.

  • To participate in ONGC events and seminars.

  • To give at least one talk or presentation at the ONGC.

  • To provide a short profile about yourself and your research activity that may be added to the ONGC website.

  • To submit a report on the research you have been engaged with during your visit. 

ONGC Visiting Fellowships are open to all applicants who are not members of the University of Oxford, and who are not ordinarily resident in Oxford and its immediate vicinity. Applicants for Fellowships should hold a doctorate at the time of application, or equivalent qualification in their field of research (e.g. holding a curatorial post in a museum or library). Applicants must have a home institution and be ready to provide a letter that grants them the necessary academic leave to come to Oxford. 

Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously (or recently) been in receipt of an ONGC visiting fellowship.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025/26 academic year. The deadline for applications is 3 October 2025.

To apply, all eligible candidates must complete the following documents:

  • The ONGC Visiting Fellowship Application Form. 

  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 5 pages).

  • A statement of the proposed research project (max. 1,200 words).

Please ensure all your documents are complete and submit them to the Centre Administrator at nizami.ganjavi@ames.ox.ac.uk with the subject "NAME ONGC Visiting Fellowship Application."

Applications will be considered according to the following criteria:

  • Quality and viability of the project
  • Fit of the applicant’s qualifications and experience with the project
  • Potential of the project to contribute to the aims of the ONGC
  • Anticipated benefits to project and applicant of a visiting fellowship at Oxford

Please note that we are able to host only a small number of ONGC Visiting Fellows at the same time, and in some cases we may offer a fellowship of shorter duration than the period applied for.