Commonwealth Fellowships - information for candidates (non-ODA countries only)

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK Commonwealth Fellowships - information for candidates (non-ODA countries only) by Simon Longley , 2026 Commonwealth Fellowships - information for candidates (non-ODA countries only)

Overview

Host organisation programmes

How to Apply

Advice for applicants Fellow

Eligibility

Eligible countries Completing the

Application

form Financial assistance General conditions Immigration conditions Enquiries

Overview

From 2026/27, the CSC has launched a new 'Commonwealth Fellowship Programme' featuring two strands: the current Professional Fellowships alongside a new strand of Academic Fellowships. Commonwealth Professional Fellowships are for mid-career professionals from eligible Commonwealth countries (other than the UK) to undertake a programme of professional development at a UK host organisation working in their sector.

Commonwealth Academic Fellowships are for academic staff who hold a PhD and are employed at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country (other than the UK) to undertake a programme of academic skills update, knowledge exchange and networking, with a view to establishing future collaboration, at a UK university. Purpose: Commonwealth Academic and Professional Fellowships are for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries to spend a period of time in the UK at an organisation working on a programme of professional or academic development which will have a developmental impact upon their return home.

Intended beneficiaries: Professional Fellows should be mid-career professionals with five years' relevant experience working in organisations in an eligible Commonwealth country. Academic Fellows should have a PhD and be employed by a university in an eligible Commonwealth country.

We provisionally plan to offer around 12 fellowships in total. Please refer to the eligible countries tab for full details and note that each programme has its own country

Eligibility

requirements . These fellowships are offered under six development themes: Science and technology for development Improving population health, health systems and capacity Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship Strengthening peace, security and governance Strengthening resilience and response to crises Access, inclusion and opportunity Professional and Academic Fellowships in 2026/27 will begin in March 2027 and run for up to three months.

Host organisation programmes Different UK based organisations have applied to host Commonwealth Fellows in 2027. Each host organisation has applied to run a bespoke fellowship programme that candidates can apply for.

You can find the details of each successfully selected organisation and the programme that they are running on this page. Please note that some hosts intend to nominate candidates from their known and established networks as indicated against each one .

Where this is the case, it is indicated on this page. To avoid disappointment please consider contacting these hosts directly using the information on their website before applying for the fellowship programme.

For each programme host, it states whether it is part of the Academic or Professional Fellowship strand. You must meet the CSC's

Eligibility Criteria

for the particular strand you are applying for, as well as any

Eligibility Requirements

set out by the host organisation. University of Bristol, School of Chemistry - Academic or Professional Fellowships Proposed programme dates: 1 March 2027 to 30 April 2027 Priority theme: Science and technology for development Recruiting from an established network: Yes Website:…

This is a shortened overview. Open the official site for full eligibility, documents, and how to apply.