Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarships(OCISS), Oxford University, UK

These scholarships have been established by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies to allow graduates to pursue study of benefit to the Muslim world.
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is a Recognized Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. It was established in 1985 to encourage the scholarly study of Islam and the Islamic world. The Centre provides a meeting point for the Western and Islamic worlds of learning. At Oxford it contributes to the multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary study of the Islamic world. Beyond Oxford, its role is strengthened by an international network of academic contacts. For more information, please go to www.oxcis.ac.uk

Am I eligible?

Candidates should be applying to start a new graduate course at Oxford.
Please ensure you meet the requirements for entry to your course, including English language requirements. See the Course Guide for more information.
Open to British Muslim students and students from the following developing countries in Asia and Africa: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Djibouti, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen Arab Republic.
You must be able to show how your intended course of study is of relevance to the Muslim world. UK students must also be Muslims.
This scholarship is open to candidates studying for all degree bearing courses, with the exception of PGCert and PGDip courses.

What does it cover?

100% of university and college fees, and a grant for living costs (the rate in 2011-12 was £12,300).
Awards are made for the full duration of a student's fee liability for the agreed course. If your scholarship is offered for a course lasting more than one year, the continuation of your scholarship each year is subject to an annual renewal process based on satisfactory academic progress. Scholars will be expected to write an annual report about their academic and social activities and achievements at the university.

How do I apply?

Apply at the same time as you apply to Oxford by selecting Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarships (OCISS) in the Funding Section of the University's Graduate Application Form. Candidates should apply by Application Deadline 2 (6 January 2012 for Medical Sciences and Philosophy; 20 January 2012 for all other subjects).
In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must submit your application for graduate study by the January deadline (20 January 2012) and you must have secured a place on your chosen programme of study by the expected final decision date (16 March 2012). Applications with an outstanding admissions decision after this date, or applications which are re-evaluated against the later March deadline field, are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
You must also complete a Scholarship Supporting Statement and upload it together with your Graduate Application Form by the application deadline in order for your application to be complete.
If you do not apply in full by the deadline, you will not be considered for the scholarship, even if you have selected Oxford Centre for Islamic Studeis Scholarships (OCISS) on the Graduate Application Form.

How will I know if I have been successful?

Successful candidates will be notified by email by summer 2012. This webpage will be updated to show when all decisions have been made. If you have not heard from us by the time this notice is posted, then your application to this scheme has been unsuccessful. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact unsuccessful applicants individually or provide feedback on applications.

Official Website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding/prospectivegrad/scholarships/university/ocis/

IDB Scholarship Programme for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries (SPMC)

1. Introduction

The Programme was launched in 1404H (1983G), named ‘The IDB Scholarship Programme for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries’ (SPMC).

2. Objective and Scope

The objective of the Programme is to improve the socio-economic conditions and to preserve the cultural and religious identities of Muslim Communities in Non-member Countries through developing their human capital resources.

The Programme provides scholarship to the academically meritorious but financially needy young Muslim students to pursue undergraduate or first-degree study in professional courses.

3. Concept

The concept of the Programme is to build a team of professional and committed Muslims as a tool for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of their communities. Under this Programme, the scholarships are given as interest-free loan to the students but grants to the communities to which they belong. After graduation and gainful employment, all graduates are obliged to repay their loan amount to the community (IDB Local Trusts) for recycling and awarding additional scholarships to the local needy students.

4. Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student/applicant must be able to meet the following basic criteria:

• Age not over 24 years.
• Completed senior secondary / pre-university education with good grades in major science subjects and language of instruction.
• Secured admission in one of the disciplines covered under the Programme at a recognized college or university in their own countries (for in-country study). 
• Not in receipt of any other scholarship.
• Committed and needy Muslim.
• Recommended by the Counterpart Organization.

5. Fields of study

• Medicine
• Engineering
• Agriculture
• Other fields related to above disciplines

6. Place of study

Consistent with the concept of the Programme, students must get admission or be in the first year in their own countries.
On exceptional basis and where admissions in professional courses are not possible or not available in any particular country, the IDB assists to place students from these countries in IDB member countries, which have been generous enough to provide places for the IDB students in their universities.

7. Benefits

The Programme covers all relevant expenses during students’ study period, including tuition fees, health and living costs as determined by the IDB.

8. Annual Time-table

The Programme is announced through the Counterpart Organizations in beneficiary countries and follows a 12-month cycle of academic and logistic activities every year. The schedule is drawn on the basis of academic calendars of universities and institutions where IDB students will study. The timetable is as follows:

January:	Announcement
June- December:	Deadline for submission of applications to the IDB  (for in-country studies)
May-July:	Deadline for submission to the IDB (for abroad studies)

Note:  Applications must be submitted to the Counterpart Organization and not directly to the IDB.

9. How to apply

In countries, where the Programme is being implemented, inquiries can be made and application form obtained from Counterpart Organization in the country.
In a country, where the Programme has not yet been implemented, inquiries may be directed to the Scholarship Division, Department of Communities in Non-Member Countries, IDB. 

10. Selection procedures

Each year, the Programme follows the following selection procedures:

• The Counterpart Organization announces the Programme in the country and invites applications from potential candidates who fulfill the criteria of the Programme.
• The Scholarship Selection Committee (SSC) conducts the interviews of eligible candidates and recommends them through the Counterpart Organization to the IDB.
• The IDB makes the final selection and informs the Counterpart Organizations.

11. Obligations of the partners

i. Counterpart Organization (CPO)

• Signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IDB.
• Carries-out all responsibilities/tasks requested by the IDB.
• Submits activities reports to the IDB.

ii.IDB Education Trust (IET)

• Maintains the graduates’ financial and non-financial records.
• Recovers and recycles the repayments by graduates.
• Submits activities reports to the IDB.

iii. Honorary Students’ Counsellor (HSC)

• Supports the students, the Counterpart Organization, the IDB Education Trust and the IDB Graduates' Associations.
• Implements the Guidance and Counselling and Post-Study Activities.
• Submits the activities reports to the IDB (and CPO if applicable).

iv. IDB Graduates' Association (IGA)

• Mobilizes and organizes the graduates under the IDB Graduates' Association.
• Undertakes Community Service Activities.
• Submits activities reports to the HSC/CPO and IDB.

v.  Beneficiaries (students)

• Sign the Surety Bond giving commitment to studies, and to participate in Community Development Programme (CDP).
• Study full-time without interruption and provide the IDB with periodic official academic reports.
• Respect the laws of the country of study and maintain good personal and professional conduct consistent with the overall mission of the IDB.
• After graduation, report and join IDB Graduate Association and participate in their community service activities and after a gainful employment, start repayment of the loan to the  local IDB Education Trust.

12. Community Development Support

To help students prepare themselves for their future leading role in the development of their communities and countries, the IDB also provides them with extra-curricular activities under a special programme called Community Development Programme comprising the following three components:

• Guidance and Counselling Activities (GCA): It involves regular learning and personal development activities throughout the year through which the IDB develops the mind and character of the young Muslim professionals to dedicate themselves to serve their communities and countries.


• Post Study Activities (PSA): Since the graduates are the keys to the delivery of the IDB’s  objectives of socio-economic development of Muslim Communities, the IDB supports them with a range of activities including formation of the IDB Graduates’ Associations and the IDB Education Trusts and monitoring their services to the community.


• Capacity Building Activities (CBA): In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the partners (covering both Scholarship and Special Assistance Divisions) on the ground, the IDB also provides technical, financial and training support under CBA.  Besides, the graduates are also eligible to participate in regional Community Development Workshops that are held in different countries as part of the Capacity Building Activities for partners of the IDB Special Assistance and Scholarship Programmes.

13. Programme Management

The day-to-day implementation of the Programme is undertaken by the IDB Scholarship Division under the guidance and supervision of the IDB Management

official website: http://www.isdb.org