Supporting cutting-edge doctoral research in Imāmī Shiʿism, bridging seminary traditions with contemporary scholarship.
Al‑Mahdi Institute’s Doctoral Scholarship supports talented students working on the study of Imāmī (Twelver) Shīʿism. Despite being one of the largest minority denominations within Islam, Imāmī Shīʿism remains a relatively underexplored field in academia. The aim of the scholarship is therefore to promote and encourage sustained academic research on Imāmī thought and practice, advancing AMI’s broader mission of bringing the intellectual traditions of the ḥawza into conversation with the critical approaches of modern scholarship.
The award provides up to £3,000 towards doctoral research expenses. In addition to financial assistance, successful applicants are welcomed into AMI’s academic community, with opportunities to engage with faculty, attend seminars, workshops, and conferences, and benefit from an environment that fosters dialogue between traditional Islamic learning and contemporary academic inquiry.
The scholarship is open to students of all nationalities who have been successfully admitted to a doctoral programme at universities in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, or Australasia and are writing their thesis in the English language. For students in the UK, the award is available at any stage of the doctoral programme; for students at institutions in Europe, North America, and Australasia, the scholarship is available once comprehensive examinations have been successfully completed.
The AMI Doctoral Scholarship supports projects across a wide range of fields in Islamic thought. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with one or more of the following areas of research.
Uṣūl al‑fiqh, furūʿ al‑fiqh, comparative legal theory, ethics and law.
Exegesis, hermeneutics, and the history of tafsīr in Shiʿi thought
Questions of transmission, authority, methodology, and early Imāmī traditions.
Kalām, metaphysics, epistemology, and modern philosophical engagement
Shiʿi ʿirfān, Sufism, and spiritual practices.
Sectarian developments, scholarly networks, and institutional histories.
Reform movements, ethics, gender, pluralism, and global challenges in Shiʿi contexts.
The AMI Doctoral Scholarship supports outstanding students pursuing advanced research in Imāmī Shīʿism. Applications are reviewed annually, and the process is designed to ensure fair and thorough consideration.
Applications open in November each year, with a deadline at the end of January. The committee reviews applications during February–March, and may request interviews with applicants. Acceptance and rejection letters are issued in the first week of April. Applicants must confirm their continuation on their doctoral programme by August. Scholarships are paid directly to successful students in the first week after their programme begins.
To apply, please complete the application form at the bottom of this page and submit the following documents to education@almahdi.edu:
A tailored CV (1–2 pages) detailing your qualifications and work experience.
A research proposal (500 words) outlining the project you intend to work on.
A personal statement (up to 500 words) explaining how you would like your career to develop over the next ten years, and how a doctorate will support this.
Meet past recipients of the AMI Doctoral Scholarship and explore the diverse research projects they have undertaken.
Ready to take your academic journey further? Apply for our Doctoral Scholarship to advance your research in Islamic Studies and make a real impact.