Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified applicants for the Commonwealth Fellowships Programme 2027. This is designed for mid-career professionals and academic staff from eligible countries to undertake a programme of professional development and academic skills update at a UK host oragnisation.
The programme comprises a combination of professional development programme and academic skills update, knowledge exchange and networking with a view to establishing future collaboration.
SUMMARY
- Fellowship Sponsor(s): Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
- Host Institution(s): Not specified
- Funding Amount: Not specified
- Number of Awards: Several
- Study Level: Graduate
- Nationality: See Eligible Countries below
Also See: King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Climate Resilience Fellowships 2026
Eligibility Criteria | Commonwealth Fellowships
To be considered eligible for the Commonwealth Fellowships Programme 2027, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. Prospective Fellows should not have indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
- Professional Fellows: have at least five years’ full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant work experience, in a profession related to the subject of the Fellowships programme, by the proposed start of the fellowship – voluntary work experience will not be counted towards this minimum.
- Academic Fellows: hold a PhD and be employed by a university in a Commonwealth country other than the UK.
- Be in employment at the time of application at an organisation that they will return to upon completion of the fellowship.
- Provide at least two references, one of which must be from their current employer. Any applications for which references are not received will be considered ineligible.
- Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Fellowship within the last five years (at the time of taking up the award).
- Be available to undertake their fellowship from the prescribed start date.
- Fellows must ensure they meet any eligibility criteria set out by each individual host organisation.
Eligible countries
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, St Helena, St Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.
Non-ODA eligible countries (approximately ten fellowships on offer):
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Malta, New Zealand, Seychelles, Singapore, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands .
Fellowship Benefits
- Approved return airfare from the Fellow’s home country to the UK.
- Reimbursement of the standard visa application fee.
- Stipend (living allowance) payable monthly (or pro rata) for the duration of the award at the rate of £2,218 per month, or £2,753 per month for those at organisations in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2025/26 levels).
- If a Fellow declares a disability, a full assessment of needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC. See the CSC disability support statement for more information.
- Arrival allowance of up to £1,247.09 (rates quoted at 2025/26 levels), including an element for warm clothing.
- Additional fees can be agreed for costs associated with Fellows attending short courses/conferences as well as travel to visit other UK organisations where this forms an integral part of the programme. Programmes from six weeks to two months can claim up to £1,000 and programmes of two months to three months can claim up to £2,000. See further guidance below. These costs will be paid directly to the host organisation.
Equally, Check: Commonwealth Startup Fellowships 2026/2027
Application Procedure
How-to-Apply: Interested applicants for the 2027 Commonwealth Fellowships are to complete the Commonwealth Fellowship application form.
The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via the above form.
Application Deadline: 25 August 2026 at 16:00 BST
