Deadline: 16-Nov-2026
The Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships support academic researchers conducting fieldwork-based geographical research in arid and semi-arid environments. Two fellowships are awarded annually, with one focused on human geography and one focused on physical geography. Each fellowship provides £15,000 to support substantive research that advances geographical knowledge, especially in the Middle East and regions associated with Sir Wilfred Thesiger.
Overview of the Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships
The Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships support academic research focused on arid and semi-arid environments.
The fellowships were established in memory of Sir Wilfred Thesiger and are supported by the late Sultan of Oman. They aim to advance geographical understanding of dryland landscapes, including both their physical characteristics and human dimensions.
The programme is especially relevant for researchers studying the Middle East and other regions visited by Thesiger.
Key Focus Areas
The fellowships support fieldwork-based geographical research in dryland environments.
Key focus areas include:
- Arid environments
- Semi-arid environments
- Fieldwork-based geographical research
- Human geography
- Physical geography
- Dryland landscapes
- Middle East geography
- Regions visited by Sir Wilfred Thesiger
- Environmental and social dimensions of drylands
- Advancement of geographical knowledge
Purpose of the Fellowships
The purpose of the Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships is to support in-depth geographical research in arid and semi-arid regions.
The programme encourages researchers to explore how dryland environments function, how people live within them, and how physical and human systems interact in challenging landscapes.
By supporting both human and physical geography, the fellowships promote a broad and balanced understanding of dryland regions.
Number of Fellowships
Two fellowships are awarded annually.
Each year:
- One fellowship is awarded for human geography research
- One fellowship is awarded for physical geography research
This structure ensures that the programme supports both social and environmental approaches to geographical research.
Fellowship Value
Each fellowship provides an award of £15,000.
The funding is intended to support substantive fieldwork-based research in arid or semi-arid environments.
Applicants should propose research that can make a meaningful contribution to geographical knowledge.
What the Fellowship Can Support
The fellowship supports fieldwork-based academic research in arid or semi-arid regions.
Supported research may include:
- Field studies in dryland environments
- Human geography research in arid regions
- Physical geography research in semi-arid landscapes
- Research in the Middle East
- Studies of landscapes associated with Sir Wilfred Thesiger
- Environmental, cultural, social, or spatial research
- Research that improves understanding of dryland systems
- Group or individual fieldwork projects
The proposed project should be substantial, research-focused, and clearly connected to geographical inquiry.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is open to qualified academic researchers.
Applicants must:
- Be academic researchers
- Be Fellows or members of the Royal Geographical Society
- Have at least three years of post-doctoral experience
- Propose fieldwork-based research in an arid or semi-arid environment
Both individuals and groups may apply.
There are no nationality restrictions, making the fellowships open to eligible researchers from any country.
Suitable Applicants
The fellowships are suitable for experienced researchers working in geography or closely related disciplines.
Suitable applicants may include:
- Human geographers
- Physical geographers
- Environmental researchers
- Dryland specialists
- Researchers studying the Middle East
- Academic teams conducting field-based research
- Researchers studying people, landscapes, climate, land use, or environmental change in arid regions
Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong research experience and a clear fieldwork plan.
Explanation of Key Concepts
Arid Environments
Arid environments are regions with very low rainfall and limited water availability.
These landscapes may include deserts, dry valleys, rocky plains, and other areas where climate and water scarcity strongly influence ecosystems and human activity.
Semi-Arid Environments
Semi-arid environments receive more rainfall than arid regions but still experience water scarcity and dry conditions.
These areas often support pastoralism, dryland farming, seasonal vegetation, and communities adapted to variable environmental conditions.
Human Geography
Human geography studies the relationships between people, places, societies, cultures, economies, and environments.
In this fellowship, human geography research may explore how communities live, move, adapt, and organize life in arid or semi-arid regions.
Physical Geography
Physical geography studies natural systems and processes such as landforms, climate, soils, water, vegetation, and environmental change.
In dryland regions, physical geography research may examine desert landscapes, erosion, hydrology, climate patterns, or ecosystem change.
Why It Matters
The Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships matter because arid and semi-arid environments are important but often challenging research landscapes.
Dryland regions are shaped by water scarcity, climate variability, environmental change, mobility, cultural adaptation, and complex human-environment relationships.
By funding fieldwork-based research, the fellowships help generate deeper knowledge about these regions and support academic work that can inform geography, environmental understanding, and social research.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Fellowship Proposal
Applicants should prepare a clear research proposal that explains the fieldwork location, research question, methodology, significance, and expected contribution to geographical knowledge.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that they are Fellows or members of the Royal Geographical Society and have at least three years of post-doctoral experience.
Group applicants should ensure that the research team meets the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Choose the Correct Fellowship Category
Applicants should identify whether their research fits best under:
- Human geography
- Physical geography
The proposal should clearly match the selected category.
Step 3: Define the Research Question
The proposal should present a focused research question related to arid or semi-arid environments.
The question should show why the research is important and how it will advance geographical knowledge.
Step 4: Explain the Fieldwork Location
Applicants should describe the proposed fieldwork site and explain why it is relevant.
Preference may be given to research focused on the Middle East or regions visited by Sir Wilfred Thesiger, where relevant to the project.
Step 5: Describe the Research Methodology
The proposal should explain how the research will be conducted.
This may include:
- Field observation
- Interviews
- Surveys
- Mapping
- Environmental sampling
- Landscape analysis
- Archival or cultural research
- Spatial analysis
- Comparative field methods
The methodology should be realistic and appropriate for the selected geographical focus.
Step 6: Prepare a Clear Budget
Applicants should explain how the £15,000 fellowship will support the fieldwork.
The budget should be realistic and clearly connected to research activities.
Step 7: Show the Academic Contribution
A strong proposal should explain how the research will contribute to geographical knowledge.
The contribution may relate to dryland environments, human adaptation, physical processes, environmental change, regional studies, or human-environment interactions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that are unclear or weakly connected to the fellowship purpose.
Common mistakes include:
- Proposing research outside arid or semi-arid environments
- Not showing a clear geographical research focus
- Failing to identify whether the project is human or physical geography
- Submitting a weak fieldwork plan
- Not explaining the significance of the research location
- Providing an unclear methodology
- Not demonstrating post-doctoral research experience
- Submitting a budget that does not clearly support fieldwork
- Failing to explain how the research advances geographical knowledge
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong fellowship proposal should be focused, fieldwork-based, and academically significant.
Applicants should:
- Clearly define the arid or semi-arid research setting
- Explain the geographical importance of the project
- Align the proposal with either human geography or physical geography
- Present a strong and realistic fieldwork plan
- Show why the research location matters
- Demonstrate academic experience and research readiness
- Link the project to broader dryland knowledge
- Provide a clear budget for fieldwork activities
- Explain how the findings will contribute to geographical research
- Highlight relevance to the Middle East or Thesiger-associated regions where applicable
FAQ
1. What are the Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships?
The Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships support academic researchers conducting fieldwork-based geographical research in arid and semi-arid environments.
2. How many fellowships are awarded each year?
Two fellowships are awarded annually. One supports human geography research and one supports physical geography research.
3. How much funding is available?
Each fellowship provides £15,000.
4. Who can apply?
Academic researchers who are Fellows or members of the Royal Geographical Society and have at least three years of post-doctoral experience can apply.
5. Are there nationality restrictions?
No. There are no nationality restrictions for eligible applicants.
6. Can groups apply?
Yes. Both individuals and groups may apply.
7. What type of research is supported?
The fellowships support substantive fieldwork-based geographical research in arid or semi-arid environments, especially research related to the Middle East or regions visited by Sir Wilfred Thesiger.
Conclusion
The Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships provide valuable support for academic researchers studying arid and semi-arid environments.
With two annual awards of £15,000 each, the programme supports both human and physical geography research that deepens understanding of dryland landscapes. Strong applications should present a clear fieldwork plan, demonstrate academic experience, align with the fellowship’s geographical focus, and show how the research will make a significant contribution to geographical knowledge.
For more information, visit Royal Geographical Society.