Chevening Gurukul Fellowship for Leadership and Excellence, UK 2025-26

Chevening Gurukul Fellowship for Leadership and Excellence, UK 2025-26 is a fellowship hosted by the University of Oxford's Department of Politics and International Relations. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, this program is designed to support exceptional young professionals and mid-career individuals from diverse backgrounds. The fellowship seeks candidates with strong, demonstrated leadership potential. Selected fellows will receive full program fees and other benefits.

Source: Chevening

The fellowship is hosted by the University of Oxford within the Department of Politics and International Relations and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

To be eligible, an applicant must:-

• be a citizen of India and currently reside in the country
• return to the country of citizenship at the end of the fellowship period
• have a postgraduate-level qualification or equivalent professional training or work experience in a relevant area at the time of application
• have at least 10 years of work experience before applying
• be a mid-career professional with strong leadership potential in sectors such as state or central government, the private sector, media, or civil society
• have a good working knowledge of English, which will be assessed in the application form and, if shortlisted, during the interview
• not hold British or dual British citizenship
• agree to adhere to all relevant guidelines, requirements, and expectations of the programme
• not be an employee, former employee, or relative* of an employee of His Majesty’s Government, or have been so within the last two years from the opening of Chevening applications including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, all British Embassies/High Commissions, the Home Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for International Trade, and UKVI, the British Council, a sponsoring UK university, or the Association of Commonwealth Universities staff

*Note: Relatives are defined as parents or step-parents, siblings or step-siblings, children or step-children, spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (where the couple have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years).

Selected fellows will receive full program fees, living expenses for the duration of the fellowship, and return economy airfare from India to the UK.

Eligible candidate can apply for the fellowship by using the below-mentioned steps -

Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button and read the details.
Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button and fill in the required details. (Note:- If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID).
Step 3: Navigate to the 'Apply Today' button. 
Step 4: Click on the 'Register Here' button and 'Accept' the policies.
Step 5: Fill in the required details, tick the checkbox and click on the 'Submit' button.
Step 6: Log in using valid credentials, fill in the required details upload relevant documents and submit the application.

• Passport of the residence country
• Academic transcripts
• A statement explaining the applicant's motivation, career goals, and how the fellowship aligns with their aspirations
• A detailed CV highlighting their education, work experience, and achievements
• Two professional references from individuals who can attest to the applicant's abilities and potential
• Scores from TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent tests (unless exempt)

Additional Documents (Maybe Required):

• Unconditional offers from UK universities for the applicant's selected course
• Evidence of financial support (if applicable).
• Medical certificates depending on the program

Applicants will be selected based on their fulfilment of eligibility criteria and performance in the interview.

Note:- The above timeline is subject to change on the discretion of the provider.

Question 1: How many years of work experience is needed to apply for this fellowship? 
Answer: A minimum of 10 years of work experience is required prior to applying.
Question 2: I have dual British citizenship can I apply for this fellowship?
Answer: No, applicants holding British or dual-British citizenship can not apply for this fellowship.
Question 3: What is the last date to apply for the Chevening Gurukul Fellowship for Leadership and Excellence 2024?
Answer: The last date to apply for the scholarship is 05 November 2024. 
Question 4: What is the duration of the Chevening Gurukul Fellowship?
Answer: The duration of the Chevening Gurukul Fellowship is 12 weeks.
Question 5: What are the benefits of the Chevening Gurukul Fellowship?
Answer: The selected fellows will receive full programme fees, return economy airfare (from India to the UK) and living expenses.

• A total of 12 fellows will be selected for the fellowship program.
• It will be a 12-week intensive residential course in the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) at the University of Oxford.
• The course includes various site visits in the UK and Europe, culminating in the research and presentation of a public policy plan.