Scholarship
Commonwealth Academic Fellowships
Offered by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Closed Applications closed. Next cycle: Not yet announced
Visit Official Scholarship Website
Last verified: September 26, 2026
Quick facts
- Study destination
- United Kingdom
- Level
- Research, Fellowship
- Funding
- Stipend, Travel Grant, Fellowship
- Amount
- GBP 2,218 per month (GBP 2,753 per month at organisations in the London metropolitan area (2025/26 rates))
- Eligible students
- Citizens (or refugees, or British Protected Persons) of eligible Commonwealth countries other than the UK, permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Deadline
- Applications closed. Next cycle: Not yet announced
- Duration
- Three months, starting in January/February 2027
- Application method
- Government / provider online portal
Overview
Commonwealth Academic Fellowships are a new strand of the Commonwealth Fellowship Programme from 2026/27. They are for academic staff who hold a PhD and work at a university in a Commonwealth country, to spend three months at a UK host institution on academic skills updating, knowledge exchange and networking.
Candidates apply for a specific host programme listed by the CSC.
To strengthen academic capacity in Commonwealth countries through knowledge exchange with UK institutions.
Who Can Apply
Academic staff who hold a PhD, are employed by a university in an eligible Commonwealth country (other than the UK), and are citizens and permanent residents of an eligible Commonwealth country.
Am I eligible? A quick check
- Citizens (or refugees, or British Protected Persons) of eligible Commonwealth countries other than the UK, permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Study in United Kingdom
- Level: Research, Fellowship
- A PhD.
This is a summary. The official eligibility rules decide who can apply.
Residency and citizenship
You must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country and must not have indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Education Level
Eligible Nationalities
Citizens (or refugees, or British Protected Persons) of eligible Commonwealth countries other than the UK, permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
Show all 55 eligible countries
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- India
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Brunei
- Canada
- Cyprus
- Malta
- New Zealand
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Trinidad and Tobago
Eligibility can change between cycles. Confirm your country on the official website.
What Does This Scholarship Cover?
Living costs
- Monthly stipend (covered)
Travel
- Airfare (covered)
- Relocation allowance (covered)
Visa
- Visa fee (covered)
Funding Details
Amount: GBP 2,218 per month (GBP 2,753 per month at organisations in the London metropolitan area (2025/26 rates))
Each fellowship provides an approved return airfare from your home country to the UK, reimbursement of the standard visa application fee, a monthly stipend (GBP 2,218, or GBP 2,753 in the London metropolitan area, at 2025/26 rates, paid pro rata) and an arrival allowance of up to GBP 1,247.09 that includes an element for warm clothing.
Hosts can also agree extra costs for short courses, conferences and visits to other UK organisations that are part of the programme (up to GBP 1,000 or GBP 2,000 depending on length), paid to the host organisation.
Eligibility Requirements
Academic requirements
Degree: A PhD.
Employment
You must be employed by a university in an eligible Commonwealth country other than the UK.
Other requirements
You must be employed at the time of application by an organisation you will return to, provide at least two references (one from your current employer), not have held a Commonwealth Fellowship in the last five years, and meet any extra criteria set by the host organisation.
Application Deadline
- Status
- Closed Applications closed. Next cycle: Not yet announced
- Applications open
- July 28, 2026
- Deadline
- August 25, 2026, 16:00 BST
- Deadline type
- Fixed deadline
- Current cycle
- 2027 Commonwealth Fellowships (2026/27 programme year)
- Next cycle
- Not yet announced
Deadlines change every cycle. Always confirm the current dates on the official website.
How to Apply
Scholarship application first: You apply for the scholarship first; university admission is arranged afterwards or alongside.
Important: scholarship eligibility and university admission requirements may be different. Check both before applying.
Required Documents
- Passport
- Recommendation letters / references
A scan of your passport or national identity card, and at least two references (one from your current employer unless you are self-employed).
The official application lists the exact documents for each cycle.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed on the quality and relevance of the programme, its development impact and the candidate's potential, and on how the fellowship will transfer skills relevant to the six CSC development themes.
Duration and Renewal
Duration: Three months, starting in January/February 2027
Official Links
Last verified: September 26, 2026
Application Abroad is not the scholarship provider and does not accept applications. Apply through the official provider; its website is the final source for eligibility, funding and deadlines.
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Free counselling
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