Commonwealth Professional Fellowships place mid-career professionals from eligible Commonwealth countries at a UK host organisation for a short, intensive programme of professional development in their own sector. The scheme is run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK and funded by the UK government (FCDO). From the 2026/27 cycle the fellowships run within the CSC’s new Commonwealth Fellowship Programme, with around 30 places for citizens of ODA-eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries and around 10–15 places for citizens of non-ODA Commonwealth countries and territories. Fellows spend between six weeks and three months embedded with a UK organisation — such as a university, research institute, NHS trust, charity or public body — building skills they carry back to their home role. Awards sit under six development themes spanning science and technology, health systems, prosperity, peace and governance, crisis resilience, and inclusion. The aim is capacity-building: the fellow returns to the same employer and applies what they learned.
Benefits & funding
- Fully funded placement of six weeks to three months in the UK.
- Return international airfare and UK visa costs covered.
- Monthly living stipend of £2,218 (£2,753 for placements in the London area).
- One-off arrival allowance of £1,247.
- Placement arranged and part-funded through an approved UK host organisation.
Eligibility
- Citizen of (or granted refugee status by) an eligible Commonwealth country, or a British Protected Person.
- Permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Eligible countries fall into two groups: 44 ODA-eligible countries (around 30 fellowships) and 20 non-ODA countries and territories such as Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand and Singapore (around 10–15 fellowships).
- At least five years’ relevant full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience by the start of the fellowship.
- Currently employed and returning to the same role after the fellowship.
- Not undertaking academic research; the placement is professional development, not a study or degree programme.
Can you apply?
Worth a closer look
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Eligible nationalities
Anguilla · Antigua and Barbuda · Australia · Bahamas · Bangladesh · Barbados · Belize · Bermuda · Botswana · British Virgin Islands · Brunei · Cameroon
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Canada · Cayman Islands · Cyprus · Dominica · Eswatini · Falkland Islands · Fiji · Gabon · Ghana · Gibraltar · Grenada · Guyana · India · Jamaica · Kenya · Kiribati · Lesotho · Malawi · Malaysia · Maldives · Malta · Mauritius · Montserrat · Mozambique · Namibia · Nauru · New Zealand · Nigeria · Pakistan · Papua New Guinea · Rwanda · Saint Helena · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Samoa · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Singapore · Solomon Islands · South Africa · Sri Lanka · Tanzania · Gambia · Togo · Tonga · Trinidad and Tobago · Turks and Caicos Islands · Tuvalu · Uganda · Vanuatu · Zambia
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Residence required
Anguilla · Antigua and Barbuda · Australia · Bahamas · Bangladesh · Barbados · Belize · Bermuda · Botswana · British Virgin Islands · Brunei · Cameroon
+ 52 more
Canada · Cayman Islands · Cyprus · Dominica · Eswatini · Falkland Islands · Fiji · Gabon · Ghana · Gibraltar · Grenada · Guyana · India · Jamaica · Kenya · Kiribati · Lesotho · Malawi · Malaysia · Maldives · Malta · Mauritius · Montserrat · Mozambique · Namibia · Nauru · New Zealand · Nigeria · Pakistan · Papua New Guinea · Rwanda · Saint Helena · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Samoa · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Singapore · Solomon Islands · South Africa · Sri Lanka · Tanzania · Gambia · Togo · Tonga · Trinidad and Tobago · Turks and Caicos Islands · Tuvalu · Uganda · Vanuatu · Zambia
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Experience required
≥ 5 yrs
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Confirm your country is on the CSC list of eligible Commonwealth countries.
- 2Identify or be nominated to a UK host organisation running an approved fellowship programme in your field.
- 3Prepare a development plan showing how the placement builds skills relevant to your current role.
- 4Submit the online application through the CSC application system before the annual deadline.
- 5Provide two references, including one from your current employer.
Program timeline
22 August 2025
Most recent fellow application deadline (2025 cycle; now closed).
August–September 2026
Fellow applications for the 2026/27 cycle are expected to open on the CSC website and remain open for four weeks.
Selection results expected.
November 2026
Fellowship placements begin in the UK.
March 2027
Within 3 months
Placement completed; fellow returns to home employer.