About Zahid Ali Fellowship 2025
The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) is pleased to announce that applications for the Zahid Ali Fellowship are now open. The Zahid Ali Fellowship is awarded every 5 years to an internationally renowned scholar working in the field of Classical Arabic Literature who will use the award to publish research on a topic of relevance to Ismaili Studies.
at the bequest of Professor Zahid Ali’s son, the late Professor Abid Ali, and his family.
The Zahid Ali Fellowship 2025, in the amount of £5000, is awarded once every five years to an internationally renowned scholar working in the field of Classical Arabic Literature who will use the award to publish research on a topic of relevance to Ismaili Studies.
Belonging to a prominent Daudi Bohra Ismaili family of India, Professor Zahid Ali (1888-1958) was educated at Oxford University, and later taught at the Nizam College in Hyderabad. He produced the first modern studies of Ismaili history and Ismaili doctrines, based on primary Ismaili sources; these works were published in Urdu in 1948 and 1954.
Professor Zahid Ali also inherited an important collection of Ismaili manuscripts, which was acquired by several generations of his ancestors. This collection was bequeathed to the Institute by the late Professor Abid Ali and his family.
Summary of the Zahid Ali Fellowship 2025
- Partial Funding
- The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS)
- Fellowship
- Ismaili Studies
- International Students
- UK
- 09/30/2025
Zahid Ali Fellowship Benefits
- Award Amount: £5,000
- Award Frequency: Every 5 years
- Field of Study: Classical Arabic Literature
- Focus Area: Research relevant to Ismaili Studies
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2025
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Zahid Ali Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is open to internationally recognized scholars with a proven track record in Classical Arabic Literature, who are currently working on or planning to publish original research connected to Ismaili Studies.
Ideal applicants will:
- Be fluent in classical Arabic texts and literary traditions.
- Have published or presented on themes that intersect with Islamic intellectual history or Ismaili heritage.
- Propose a research project that culminates in a publication such as a monograph, translation, or academic article that furthers the understanding of Ismaili thought, culture, or textual traditions.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit the following documents via email to scholarships@iis.ac.uk:
- A covering letter outlining interest and suitability.
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
- A writing sample (preferably a previously published work).
- A research proposal (max. 2,000 words) explaining the project scope, methodology, and relevance to Ismaili Studies.
Deadline: All application materials must be submitted by 30 September 2025.
Why Apply for the Zahid Ali Fellowship?
Receiving the Zahid Ali Fellowship is not only a mark of distinction but also provides crucial funding and recognition for scholarly work that bridges Arabic literature and Ismaili heritage. It is an exceptional opportunity for researchers to advance their projects, connect with the Institute of Ismaili Studies, and contribute to the preservation and exploration of Ismaili intellectual traditions.
Document Needed
- Cover letter and CV
- Writing sample (preferably a publication)
- Research proposal (2,000 words maximum)
Deadline for applications: 30 September 2025
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