Chevening Research, Science, and Innovation Leadership Fellowship (CRISP)

The Chevening Research, Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship (CRISP) is aimed at mid-career professionals with very high potential in the fields of science, innovation, and business from India and Sri Lanka.

The fellowship is hosted by St. Cross College, University of Oxford.

The programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

Programme structure

The main academic strands of the twelve-week CRISP Fellowship include science, innovation, leadership and management, as well as wider issues including global challenges, politics, and international relations. The programme runs from early April through late June. The modules aim to:

• Develop an understanding of the UK science field and a range of innovation management processes
• Explore the interactions between research, innovation, and economic development
• Research and present a business plan based on individual interests and experience
• Visit a wide range of UK institutions, research institutes, and businesses, and start building professional networks
• Take part in a varied cultural programme, and explore potential insights from the arts to the working environment

Benefits

Each fellowship includes:

• Full programme fees
• Living expenses for the duration of the fellowship
• Return economy airfare from India or Sri Lanka to the UK

Eligibility 

To be eligible for a Chevening CRISP Fellowship, you must:

• Be a citizen of India or Sri Lanka and currently live in the country
• Return to your country of citizenship at the end of the period of the fellowship
• Have a postgraduate level qualification (or equivalent professional training or experience in a relevant area) at the time of application
• Have at least seven years’ work experience prior to applying
• Have demonstrable commitment to innovation, and the experience and aptitude to contribute to the programme
• Have an excellent academic background in science, engineering or technology, or considerable experience of working in such fields
• Have a good working knowledge of English to be assessed in your application form and if you are invited to interview
• Not hold British or dual British citizenship
• Agree to adhere to all relevant guidelines and expectations for the fellowship
• Not be an employee, a former employee, or relative of an employee of His Majesty’s Government, or have been 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 the UKVI), the British Council, a sponsoring UK university, or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Successful individuals may have significant experience as:

• Executives of service companies, manufacturing businesses, or state-owned companies
• Entrepreneurs and individuals who serve and fund the entrepreneurial community
• Research scientists
• Academics and public-sector employees

Please note this timeline is subject to change.

Meet CRISP fellows