Deadline
2025-08-22
Value of Scholarship
Full Sponsorship, £11,809 Stipends & Travel Costs
£11,809
£11,809
Country Tenable
United Kingdom
Renewable
No
Commonwealth Professional Fellowships 2026 – Fully Funded UK Opportunity for Mid-Career Professionals
The Commonwealth Professional Fellowships 2026 offer mid-career professionals from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries a unique opportunity to spend time in the UK gaining hands-on experience and advancing their professional development. Fellows will work with a UK host organisation in their sector to build capacity, exchange knowledge, and drive impact in their home countries.
Fellowship Overview
The programme is fully funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). It is designed to empower professionals to enhance their skills and foster innovation within their workplaces and sectors.
- Each fellowship is aligned with one of six key development themes:
- Science and Technology for Development
- Strengthening Health Systems and Capacity
- Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Strengthening Global Peace, Security and Governance
- Strengthening Resilience and Response to Crises
- Access, Inclusion and Opportunity
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2026 Commonwealth Professional Fellowship, applicants must:
- 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.
- Have at least five years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) relevant professional experience by the start of the fellowship. Voluntary experience is not counted.
- Be employed at the time of application and plan to return to their current organisation upon completing the fellowship.
- Submit two references, including one from their current employer (applications missing references by the deadline will be ineligible).
- Not have held a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the past five years.
- Not be applying for an academic or research programme. Academics are eligible only if applying for professional development in academic management, not for research or study in their academic field.
- Be available to begin the fellowship from February 2026.
Fellowship Benefits
Each fellowship will last between six weeks and three months, beginning in February 2026. Fellows will receive:
- Return airfare from their home country to the UK.
- Visa fee reimbursement.
- Monthly stipend:
- £2,104/month (outside London)
- £2,612/month (within London)
- Arrival allowance of up to £1,183.20, including a clothing allowance.
- Disability support, where applicable, following an assessment by the CSC.
- Up to £2,000 per Fellow may be used by host organisations for:
- Conferences
- Short courses
- Visits to other UK organisations relevant to the fellowship programme
Required Documents
Applicants will need to upload the following:
- A scanned copy of a valid passport or national ID
- A personal statement (max. 500 words) explaining how your background has inspired your commitment to development
- A leadership & community engagement statement (max. 500 words) detailing voluntary experience and leadership roles
- A statement on the relevance of your work experience to the proposed fellowship (max. 300 words)
- Academic history (all relevant university qualifications)
- Up to 10 publications or awards (if applicable)
- Employment history, explaining how each role supports your proposed fellowship
- Names and contact details of up to three referees, including your current employer
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Professional Fellowship 2026
Follow these steps:
- Click the LINK below to access the official Fellowship Application Portal.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload all required documents and information as listed above.
- Ensure your references are submitted before the closing date.
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