Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025/26: Fully Funded Doctoral Study. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025/26: Fully Funded Doctoral Study. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission now accepts applications from individuals classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) as vulnerable states and least developed countries. Aiming to support exceptional talent from across the Commonwealth, these scholarships offer a remarkable opportunity for full-time doctoral study at UK universities.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025/26: /Fully Funded / Doctoral Study
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s (CSC) initiative supports international development goals through these scholarships, which the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) funds. By fostering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and researchers, the CSC actively contributes to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), showcasing the UK’s dedication to the Commonwealth.
Scholarship Purpose:
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships aim to advance research that supports the development of Commonwealth nations. By enhancing individual teaching and research skills, the program strengthens institutional capacity in both academic and professional fields. It attracts talented students from around the globe and fosters international collaboration, enriching the UK’s higher education sector.
Who can Apply?
The scholarships target exceptional graduates who show promise in conducting cutting-edge research on developmental issues. Recipients will make significant contributions to long-term national and international development as prominent researchers, educators, and leaders in their home countries.
Scholarship Details
- Application Deadline:Â October 15, 2024, at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT)
- Study Start Date:Â September/October 2025
- Scholarship Themes: Applications are accepted under six CSC Development themes..
- Submission Process: Submit applications through the CSC’s online application system. The CSC will not accept applications submitted outside this system. To avoid delays near the deadline, applicants should apply early.
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Financial Assistance
- Approved Airfare: Covering the cost of travel from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award. Note: Dependents’ fares and any journeys before the award confirmation are not reimbursed.
- Tuition Fees:Â Full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university; Scholars are not liable for any part of the tuition fee.
- Stipend: A living allowance of £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those studying in the London metropolitan area (rates at current levels).
- Warm Clothing Allowance:Â Provided where applicable.
- Study Travel Grant: Assisting with the expense of study-related travel, either domestically in the UK or abroad.
- Fieldwork Provision: If authorized, reimbursement for one round-trip ticket in economy class to the fieldwork site.
- Mid-term Visit: The program covers travel expenses for a visit to the scholar’s nation of origin. However, this does not apply if they have already received or plan to receive reimbursement for fieldwork-related return travel, spouse, and/or child allowances.
Family Allowances:
- Spouse allowance of £297 per month for up to nine months if living with the Scholar in the UK (conditions apply).
- Child allowance of £297 per month for the first child, and £146 per month for the second and third children under 16, if living with the Scholar in the UK (conditions apply).
- For widowed, divorced, or single parents, a child allowance of £590 per month for the first child, and £146 per month for the second and third children under 16.
- Additional support may be available for Scholars with disabilities.
Eligibility
- You must be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, have refugee status in one, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to commence studies in the UK by September 2025.
- Candidates must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours or, alternatively, a lower second-class degree coupled with a relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2025. Furthermore, they should not be registered for a PhD or MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2025.
- Demonstrate financial need for the scholarship.
- Provide all required supporting documentation.
Disabled applicants who may not meet the standard academic requirements but can demonstrate significant potential should apply through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) nominator.
- Apply through the CSC’s online application system.
- Apply to a designated nominator, as direct applications to the CSC are not accepted. Nominators may include:
- National nominating agencies (main application route)
- Selected universities/university bodies (for their academic staff)
- Selected NGOs and charitable bodies
Every nominator oversees their own selection procedure and has the option to add more eligibility requirements or deadlines. By December 2024, nominees will submit the names of their shortlisted candidates to the CSC.
Application Components: Applicants must
- Enumerate awards, publications, and qualifications.
- Give your work history and how it relates to the suggested research.
Provide three referees’ details. - Send in a Development Impact statement detailing the goals and applicability of the scholarship. Give a thorough study schedule, a statement about yourself, and your career goals.
- Any authorized UK university or higher education institution must have a CSC part-funding agreement to accept scholarships for a 36-month full-time study period. The scholarships cover only a single degree and do not include additional coursework.
- The CSC opposes both the fossil fuel energy industry and four-year PhD programs.
- Candidates should apply for admission in advance and include a list of their top universities and supervisors. Named supervisors must provide supporting statements.
