The Commonwealth Professional Fellowships provide £18,855 as funding to cover living expenses, travel, conference, and clothing for the period of the program.
The Commonwealth Professional Fellowship provides professionals with the opportunity to enhance knowledge and skills in their given sector and to have catalytic effects on their workplaces.
The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make a change. These fellowships are offered under six 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 Requirements
Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
Have at least five years’ full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant work experience, in a profession related to the subject of the fellowship program – voluntary work experience will not be counted towards this minimum
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 by the reference closing date will be considered ineligible.
Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years (at the time of taking up the award)
Not seeking to undertake an academic program of research or study. Academics are eligible to apply for the scheme, but only to undertake programmes of academic management, not research or courses relevant to their research subject
Be available to undertake their fellowship from the prescribed start date
Benefits
Fellowships will be tenable for between six weeks and three months starting from February 2026.
Each Fellowship provides:
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 £2,104 per month, or £2,612 per month for those at organisations in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2024/25 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 £1,183.20 (rates quoted at 2024/25 levels), including an element for warm clothing.
A maximum of £2,000 per Fellow can be agreed by host organisations for short courses/conferences as well as travel to visit other UK organisations where this forms an integral part of the programme.
Required Documents
To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;
Provide a scan of your passport or national identity card
Provide a personal statement to summarise the ways in which your personal background has encouraged you to want to make an impact in your home country (up to 500 words)
Summarise the ways in which you have engaged in voluntary activities and the opportunities you have had to demonstrate leadership (up to 500 words)
