2024/2025 Commonwealth Professional Fellowships for Developing Countries in UK

The Commonwealth Professional Fellowships is a distinguished opportunity for professionals from developing Commonwealth countries to embark on a duration of professional development in the United Kingdom (UK). These fellowships are organized to improve the skills and knowledge of individuals who can contribute to the sustainable development of their home countries.

Commonwealth Professional Fellowships are for mid-career professionals from low- and middle-income countries to spend a duration at a UK Host organisation operating in their sector for a programme of professional development.

The objective of this program is to prepare professionals with the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills in their given sector and to have catalytic effects on their workplaces.

These fellowships are provided under six development themes:

1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting global prosperity
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

The CSC seeks to recognize talented individuals who have the prospect to make a change. Commonwealth is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourages applications from a mixed range of candidates. For more info on the support available to candidates with a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

If you wish to apply for our Gender and Sexuality Fellowship programme then please see the Gender and Sexuality Fellowship webpage.

ALSO TRENDING: The United Nations 2023 Nippon Foundation Fellowship

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS FOR THE 2024/2025 COMMONWEALTH PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIPS 

In order to be eligible for these Fellowships, prospective fellows 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 full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant work experience, in a profession related to the subject of the Fellowship programme, by the proposed start of the fellowship – voluntary work experience will not be counted towards this minimum
• Be in employment at the time of application at an organization that they will return to upon completion of the Fellowship
•  If nominated for a Professional Fellowship, prospective Fellows will be required to provide at least two references, (one of which must be from their current employer). Prospective Fellows will be contacted directly by the CSC if required to submit references. The Host organization Fellows are applying to might also contact them to request a reference when considering their application
• Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years (at the time of taking up the award)
• Not be seeking to undertake an academic programme 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 start and complete their fellowship within the prescribed dates

Additionally, prospective fellows must guarantee they meet any eligibility criteria set out by each individual host organization.

MERITS OF FELLOWSHIPS

Each Fellowship offers:

1. Approved return airfare from the fellow’s home country to the UK
2. Reimbursement of the standard visa application fee
3. Stipend (living allowance) payable monthly (or pro rata) for the duration of the award at the rate of £1,782 per month, or £2,197 per month for those at organisations in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2021/22 levels)
4. 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
5. Arrival allowance of up to £972.59 (rates quoted at 2021/22 levels), including an element for warm clothing
6. For the Clean Energy, Air and Oceans programme a £1,000 travel allowance per fellow to facilitate attendance at events (administered by host organisations)
7. A maximum of £3,000 per fellow can be agreed upon 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. Host organisations should bear in mind the restrictions in our guidance on claimable costs.

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2024/2025 Commonwealth Professional Fellowships for Developing Countries in UK