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Commonwealth Professional Fellowships UK 2024-25(Fully-funded)

Commonwealth Professional Fellowships UK 2024-25(Fully-funded)

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:

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

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