Overview
The Commonwealth Professional Fellowships are designed for mid-career professionals from low and middle-income countries to spend time at a UK host organisation for professional development. These fellowships aim to enhance knowledge and skills in various sectors, creating catalytic effects in the workplace.
Purpose: To provide professionals with opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills, fostering significant workplace impacts.
Beneficiaries: Mid-career professionals (with at least five years of relevant work experience) from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
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
The CSC seeks talented individuals capable of driving change, committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination.
Host Organisation Programmes
Selected host organisations for 2025 include:
- Bees for Development
- British Geological Society
- Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
- Inclusion International
- Knowledge for Change
- LifeLine Network International
- London North West University Healthcare Trust
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Tackle
- University College London
- University of East London
- University of Salford
- University of Strathclyde
- Wessex Global Stroke Partnerships
Programmes range from 6 weeks to 3 months. Check individual host criteria for eligibility.
How to Apply
Applications close at 17:00 BST on Monday, August 5. Fellowships start from February 2025, lasting between 6 weeks and 3 months.
Application Link: Apply for a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship here. Applications will close at 17:00 BST on Monday 5 August.
Advice for Applicants
For general application tips, visit the advice for applicants page. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and complete the application form thoroughly.
Fellow Eligibility
Prospective Fellows must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country or a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Have at least five years of relevant work experience.
- Be employed and return to their organisation after the fellowship.
- Provide two references, including one from their current employer.
- Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the last five years.
- Not seek to undertake an academic programme of research or study.
- Be available for the fellowship start date.
- Meet any additional eligibility criteria set by host organisations.
Eligible Countries
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- India
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- St Helena
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and The Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
Completing the Application Form
Applicants must:
- List all qualifications and relevant employment history.
- Provide a development impact statement.
- Confirm award objectives and how they align with the fellowship programme.
- Submit a personal statement and evidence of leadership activities.
- Provide a scan of their passport or national ID.
Financial Assistance
Fellowships include:
- Return airfare.
- Visa application fee reimbursement.
- Monthly stipend (£2,057 or £2,553 for London-based Fellows).
- Arrival allowance.
- Up to £3,000 for short courses or conferences.
General Conditions
- The fellowship covers specific costs only.
- Fellows must agree to return to their home country post-fellowship.
- Fellows must meet all UK immigration requirements.
Immigration Conditions
Fellows require a Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa. The ACU acts as the visa sponsor. Fellows must provide necessary documentation and comply with UKVI regulations.
Enquiries
For queries about Commonwealth Professional Fellowships, email: professional.fellowships@cscuk.org.uk. General scholarship queries should be directed to the contact us form. For a list of previous Fellowship hosts, visit our Professional Fellowship host organisations page.
Apply for a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship here. Applications will close at 17:00 BST on Monday 5 August.
