Commonwealth Fellowships – information for UK host organisations

The Commonwealth Fellowship Programme has two strands: Commonwealth Professional Fellowships and Commonwealth Academic Fellowships. These fellowships are for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries to spend time in the UK working on a programme of professional or academic development. The programme is designed for mid-career professionals and academic staff to undertake a programme of development that will have an impact upon their return home. The fellowships are offered under six development themes, including science and technology for development, improving population health, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. The Commonwealth Professional Fellowships are for mid-career professionals with five years of relevant experience, while the Commonwealth Academic Fellowships are for academic staff with a PhD employed by a university in an eligible Commonwealth country. The fellowships will be offered to approximately 10-15 citizens of Commonwealth countries not eligible for ODA and approximately 30 citizens of Commonwealth countries eligible for ODA. The fellowships will begin in March 2027, with Professional Fellowships lasting between six weeks and three months, and Academic Fellowships lasting three months. Host organisations can apply to host between two and five Commonwealth Professional Fellows, and must be based in the UK, be a publicly funded organisation or charity, and have at least £30,000 in cash funds available.