Applications are open for the Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship 2027 - a funded 12-month fellowship at the British Library in London, co-funded by the British Library and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
It is designed for mid-career professionals from Egypt, Palestine, and Sudan with strong interest in Coptic manuscript heritage and cultural collections. You will work with British Library specialists (including Dr Michael Erdman) to survey Coptic holdings, enhance catalogue records, investigate provenance, and develop public/community engagement. Deadline: 27 October 2026, 12:00 UTC. Fellowship: September 2027 - September 2028.
This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official Chevening fellowship page. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship 2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship |
| Host | British Library, London, United Kingdom |
| Funders | British Library + UK FCDO (Chevening) |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Dates | September 2027 - September 2028 |
| Focus | Coptic manuscripts, cataloguing, provenance, heritage engagement |
| Eligible citizenship | Egypt, Sudan, Palestine (see residency notes below) |
| Deadline | 27 October 2026, 12:00 UTC |
| Official page | chevening.org - Coptic Collections Fellowship |
| Apply | Chevening online application (ASAMS) |
About the Collection & Project
The British Library holds one of the world’s most significant Coptic manuscript collections - hundreds of complete and fragmentary codices plus papyrus, parchment, and paper fragments spanning more than 1,500 years of Coptic history, theology, and literary culture.
As fellow, you will use language skills, subject expertise, and professional experience to:
- Survey the Library’s Coptic holdings
- Enhance catalogue records
- Investigate collection provenance
- Develop new public and community engagement opportunities
Benefits
- 12-month project-based fellowship at the British Library
- Living expenses for the fellowship duration
- Return economy airfare
- Allowance package for fellowship-related activities
- Up to £1,000 for approved project-related expenses
Eligibility
- Citizen of Egypt, Sudan, or Palestine (normally resident there). Citizens of these countries living elsewhere in Chevening-eligible, ODA-eligible MENA countries (Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen) may also apply
- Clear intention to return to and contribute to your country of citizenship for at least one year after the fellowship
- Postgraduate qualification (or equivalent professional training/experience) at application
- At least five years significant professional and/or academic research experience
- Currently employed or enrolled as a PhD candidate (PhD must not be with a UK/EU or USA university)
- Excellent knowledge of Coptic (Sahidic or Bohairic); Arabic and/or Greek desirable
- Good written and spoken English
- Experience cataloguing/handling manuscripts and knowledge of description standards
- Provenance research experience or demonstrable interest
- Experience with heritage communities or cultural-heritage engagement activities
Also meet standard Chevening Fellowship eligibility rules on the official site.
How to Apply
- Review the full call on the official Chevening fellowship page.
- Confirm country, experience, language, and return requirements.
- Submit via the Chevening ASAMS application portal before 27 October 2026, 12:00 UTC.
Official Links
Apply - Chevening online application
Programme overview - Coptic Collections Fellowship
Related Opportunities on Opportunity Station
- Nordic Scholarship Programme 2027 for Researchers
- UNU-WIDER Visiting Scholars Programme - Fall 2026
- Berenson Fellowship 2027-2028 at Harvard
- Browse all fellowships
FAQs - Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship 2027
When is the deadline?
27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC.
How long is the fellowship?
12 months, from September 2027 to September 2028, at the British Library in London.
Who can apply?
Mid-career professionals who are citizens of Egypt, Sudan, or Palestine (with specified MENA residency options), meeting Coptic language, experience, and Chevening eligibility rules.
Is it funded?
Yes - living expenses, return economy airfare, activity allowances, and up to £1,000 project expenses (per programme announcements).
Where do I apply?
Through the official Chevening ASAMS portal.
