The Chevening British Library Coptic Collections Fellowship is open to applications from mid-career professionals from Egypt, Palestine, and Sudan, who have a strong interest in Coptic manuscript heritage and cultural collections.
The British Library holds one of the world’s most significant collections of Coptic manuscripts, comprising hundreds of complete and fragmentary codices, as well as papyrus, parchment, and paper fragments documenting more than 1,500 years of Coptic history, theology, and literary culture. This internationally important collection provides unique insights into the history of Christianity, Egypt’s cultural heritage, manuscript production, and scholarly traditions.
The fellowship will take place at the British Library, where the fellow will work closely with Dr. Michael Erdman, Head of Asian and African Studies (interim) to lead a research project. Fellows will use their language skills, subject expertise, and professional experience to survey the British Library’s Coptic holdings, enhance catalogue records, investigate collection provenance, and develop new opportunities for public and community engagement.
The duration of this fellowship is 12 months, from September 2027 to September 2028.
Applicants must be citizens of Egypt, Sudan, or Palestine. Applicants should normally be resident in one of these countries, however citizens of these countries who are resident elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa region in Chevening eligible, ODA-eligible countries (Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen) may also apply.
Each fellowship includes:
- 12-month period of project-based activity at the British Library
- Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship
- Return economy airfare
- Allowance package for fellowship-related activities
- Up to 1,000 GBP for approved project-related expenses
