Introduction The COMSTECH Research Fellowship Program for Muslim Minorities in Non-OIC Countries is an international research and advanced training initiative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH). The programme is designed to support promising young researchers, scientists and engineers belonging to Muslim minorities in non-OIC countries and provide them with an opportunity to undertake research or advanced training at relevant research and higher education institutions in OIC member states. According to the official COMSTECH programme page, the call is currently open, and applications or nominations are accepted throughout the year. The programme provides research and training opportunities at various CCoE member institutions and other relevant research and higher education institutions in OIC member states. The central purpose of the fellowship is to strengthen the research and development capacity of promising researchers who are at the beginning of their research careers. The programme also aims to establish professional and scientific links between researchers from Muslim minority communities in non-OIC countries and research institutions within OIC member states. About OIC-COMSTECH COMSTECH is the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Its activities focus on strengthening scientific and technological cooperation among OIC member states and developing scientific and technological capacity. Through its research fellowship programmes, COMSTECH facilitates collaboration between researchers and institutions across the OIC region. The Muslim Minorities in Non-OIC Countries programme extends this approach to researchers belonging to Muslim minority communities outside OIC member states. The programme is particularly focused on helping researchers develop scientific expertise, access research environments and establish professional connections that can support future collaboration. About the Research Fellowship The fellowship provides an opportunity for eligible researchers to spend 6 to 12 months at a relevant research or higher education institution in an OIC member state. The official programme information states that COMSTECH works with prestigious Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) member institutions in countries including Pakistan, Malaysia, Türkiye, Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia and Uganda, among others. Applicants can indicate preferred institutions from the CCoE member institution list during the application process. However, the application form clearly states that while applicant preferences will be taken into consideration, placement at a specific preferred institution is not guaranteed. The fellowship is intended for research and advanced training rather than a conventional full-degree scholarship. Selected researchers spend the fellowship period conducting research or receiving advanced training under the supervision and guidance of the host institution. Eligible Applicants The programme is intended specifically for researchers belonging to Muslim minorities in non-OIC countries. The official COMSTECH page defines the eligible nationality category as Muslim minorities constituting approximately 5 to 10 percent of the total population in non-OIC countries. Eligible applicants should be young scientists or engineers who belong to a Muslim minority in a non-OIC country or are employed by a research institution in a non-OIC country. The programme is aimed at researchers who are at an early stage of their research career. COMSTECH states that preference is given to young applicants, particularly women scientists, who are at the beginning of their research careers. Applicants should therefore carefully confirm that their country and minority status fall within the programme's eligibility framework before submitting an application. Academic Qualification The official programme page specifies a minimum degree level of B.S., M.S., Ph.D. or equivalent, depending on the category of research or advanced training being pursued. The programme information explains that research fellowships are offered to young scientists holding at least a B.S., M.S. or equivalent degree for graduate studies, while applicants for post-graduate research opportunities should hold a Ph.D. Applicants who are already involved in active research may also be considered according to the programme's requirements. The exact academic background should be relevant to the proposed research or training area. Applicants should therefore ensure that their previous academic qualifications, professional experience and proposed research objectives are connected to the selected field. Age Limit The official programme specifies different age limits depending on the level of study or research. For graduate studies, the maximum age is 35 years. For post-graduate studies, the maximum age is 45 years. The age requirement should be checked carefully before submitting an application because the applicable limit depends on the category under which the applicant is applying. COMSTECH also states that preference is given to younger researchers who are at the beginning of their research careers. Fields of Research The programme is focused on Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology. Researchers from relevant scientific and technological disciplines can therefore apply where their proposed research or training fits within the programme's scope. The broader COMSTECH Research Fellowship initiative covers areas such as biotechnology, molecular medicine, genomics, nanotechnology, energy engineering, agricultural technologies, artificial intelligence, physics and other scientific and technological fields. Applicants should nevertheless base their application on the fields and research opportunities available through the relevant host institutions. Research and Training Duration The standard research fellowship duration is 6 to 12 months. During this period, the selected Fellow undertakes research or advanced training at an appropriate host institution in an OIC member state. The programme is designed to provide meaningful exposure to a research environment rather than short-term academic participation. Researchers can use the fellowship period to develop technical skills, conduct research activities, receive scientific mentorship and establish connections with researchers and institutions in the OIC region. The official programme page also mentions technician training opportunities lasting 2 to 4 weeks, which are separate from the main 6-to-12-month research fellowship. Financial Support The official programme information states that COMSTECH will bear international low-cost airfare for selected Fellows. The host institutions are expected to provide subsistence supervision and mentoring for local training. The programme should therefore not be advertised as a universally fully funded fellowship covering every possible expense. The official page specifically confirms international low-cost airfare, while host institutions are expected to provide supervision and local training support. Applicants should check the arrangements associated with the particular host institution and fellowship placement before assuming that accommodation, stipend or other living expenses will be provided. Host Institutions The fellowship is conducted through relevant research and higher education institutions in OIC member states. COMSTECH works with institutions participating in the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE). The consortium includes research and higher education institutions that collaborate with COMSTECH to strengthen scientific capacity and institutional links. The application form allows applicants to list up to two preferred CCoE member institutions. However, COMSTECH explicitly states that choosing preferred institutions does not guarantee placement at those institutions. The final placement is therefore subject to the programme's assessment process, scientific suitability and availability of an appropriate host institution. Scientific Merit and Selection Research fellowships are awarded by COMSTECH together with the Host Institutions Joint Scholarship Committee. The official programme page states that awards are made on the basis of scientific merit. Applicants should therefore prepare a clear and convincing research proposal or research objectives. The application should demonstrate the applicant's academic background, research experience, proposed research direction and reasons for undertaking the fellowship. Applicants should also explain how the proposed fellowship will contribute to their scientific development and future research collaboration. English Language Requirement The programme's application process requires applicants to provide proof of English language proficiency. The official application form includes a dedicated section asking applicants to indicate their English-language proficiency. However, the official programme page and application form do not specify one universal IELTS, TOEFL or other minimum score. Applicants should therefore provide the English-language evidence requested by the application system and follow any instructions applicable to their proposed host institution. Applicants should not claim that the fellowship is universally “No IELTS Required” because the official application form does require proof of English language proficiency, while a specific standardized-test score is not stated on the form. Application Process Applications are submitted through the official COMSTECH application form. The application form requests personal information including the applicant's full name, nationality, current country of residence, religion, date of birth, passport information and contact details. Applicants must also provide information about their educational background, previous international travel, English-language proficiency, employment and research or professional experience. The application contains questions asking applicants to explain why they want to undertake the fellowship and why they are a good fit. Applicants are required to provide at least 200 words for this response. A second major section asks applicants to describe their research or training objectives, including details of the research or training they wish to conduct. This response also requires at least 200 words. Applicants may list up to two preferred CCoE member institutions, although the programme does not guarantee placement at either selected institution. Required Application Materials The official application form requires several supporting materials. Applicants must upload a clear scan of their degree or transcript. The application system specifies that these files must be in PDF or JPG format and must not exceed 300 KB. Applicants must also provide a recommendation letter from their current or most recent institution. A clear scan of the applicant's passport is required. Applicants must submit a detailed CV containing educational and professional activities, research publications and a recent clear photograph. The application form specifies that the photograph should be from no more than six months ago. The CV must be submitted in PDF format and the application system states a maximum file size of 500 KB. Applicants must also complete the programme's declaration confirming that the information supplied in the application is accurate and that they agree to comply with the fellowship's terms and conditions. Research Objectives The research objectives are an important part of the application. Applicants should clearly explain what research or training they intend to undertake during the fellowship. The proposal should be connected to their academic and professional background and should demonstrate why the selected host environment would be useful for their research development. The official application form requires a minimum of 200 words for the research/training objectives section. Applicants should avoid writing a generic statement. A stronger application should clearly explain the research problem, proposed activities, expected learning or research outcomes and how the fellowship could contribute to future scientific collaboration. Why Apply for the Fellowship? The programme can provide researchers from Muslim minority communities in non-OIC countries with exposure to research institutions within OIC member states. The fellowship can help researchers develop technical and scientific skills, work with experienced researchers, gain exposure to new research environments and establish professional connections. The programme's broader objective is to strengthen research capacity and create opportunities for future scientific collaboration between researchers and institutions. For early-career researchers, the fellowship can therefore represent an opportunity to expand their research experience and develop international academic connections. Application Deadline Unlike many scholarship programmes with a fixed annual deadline, this fellowship currently states that applications and nominations are open all around the year. This means applicants can submit their applications throughout the year rather than waiting for a single annual deadline. However, applicants should still apply well before their desired research period because host-institution placement, review and coordination may take time. Important Information for Applicants Applicants should carefully review the official COMSTECH programme page and application form before submission. All supporting documents must be correctly named and uploaded according to the application requirements. COMSTECH states that if information is incomplete or missing, the application may be considered incomplete and rejected. Applicants should also understand that selecting a preferred host institution does not guarantee placement there. The fellowship is awarded based on scientific merit, and the final research placement depends on the suitability of the applicant's research or training objectives and the participating institutions. Final Overview The OIC-COMSTECH Research Fellowship Program for Muslim Minorities in Non-OIC Countries is designed for researchers from Muslim minority communities in non-OIC countries who want to undertake research or advanced training at relevant institutions in OIC member states. The official programme is currently open, with applications accepted throughout the year. Eligible applicants can hold a B.S., M.S., Ph.D. or equivalent qualification, depending on the research category. The fellowship generally lasts 6 to 12 months, focuses on Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and has maximum age limits of 35 years for graduate studies and 45 years for post-graduate studies. COMSTECH confirms support for international low-cost airfare, while host institutions are expected to provide supervision and local training support. Researchers interested in applying should prepare their academic documents, passport, recommendation letter, detailed CV, English-language evidence, motivation statement and research/training objectives before submitting the official online application. Applicants should always verify their eligibility and the latest application requirements directly through the official COMSTECH website before submission.

• Review the official eligibility criteria
• prepare degree or transcript
• passport
• recommendation letter
• detailed CV
• English proficiency evidence and research documents
• prepare at least 200 words explaining why you want the fellowship and why you are a good fit
• prepare at least 200 words describing your research or training objectives
• select up to two preferred CCoE institutions
• complete the official COMSTECH online application form and submit all correctly named supporting documents