We are pleased to extend an invitation for applications to the prestigious Commonwealth Professional Fellowships. This exceptional opportunity is designed specifically for mid-career professionals hailing from low- and middle-income countries. The fellowships aim to provide these individuals with a transformative experience, allowing them to augment their knowledge and skills within their respective sectors. Moreover, the ultimate goal is to instigate catalytic effects upon their workplaces, fostering positive changes and advancements.
The Commonwealth Professional Fellowships offer successful candidates the chance to embark on a remarkable journey by spending a dedicated period at a distinguished UK host organization. During their time at the host institution, fellows will actively engage in a comprehensive program of professional development tailored to their specific needs and aspirations.
This initiative seeks to promote mutual understanding, collaboration, and knowledge exchange between professionals from diverse backgrounds, contributing to the development of a global network of skilled individuals dedicated to driving positive change in their communities.
We warmly welcome talented mid-career professionals to seize this unparalleled opportunity and embrace the prospect of enhancing their expertise while making a lasting impact on their workplaces and beyond.
Scholarship Summary:
- Fellowship Sponsor(s): Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK
- Host Institution(s): UK host organization
- Fellowship Worth: Fully-funded
- Number of Awards: Several
- Study Level: Mid-career professionals
- Nationality: See eligible Countries (below)
Eligible Countries:
The following countries are eligible for the Commonwealth Professional Fellowships:
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.
Fellowship Details:
For the 2023/24 round, all Commonwealth Professional Fellowships are focused on the thematic area of Clean Energy, Air, and Oceans. The main objective of these fellowships is to empower professionals by offering them a chance to augment their knowledge and expertise within their respective sectors. By doing so, they can bring catalytic effects to their workplaces and foster positive changes.
These fellowships primarily target mid-career professionals with a minimum of five years of relevant work experience, who are currently employed in development-related organizations in low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. The aim is to provide these individuals with valuable opportunities for growth and skill development, enabling them to contribute significantly to the sustainable development of their nations.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants interested in Commonwealth Professional Fellowships for International Students must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:
- Citizenship: Candidates should be citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country or have been granted refugee status in one. Alternatively, they can be British Protected Persons.
- Residency: Applicants must be permanent residents of an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Work Experience: A minimum of five years’ full-time or equivalent part-time relevant work experience in a profession related to the Fellowship program is required before the proposed start of the fellowship. Voluntary work experience will not be considered towards meeting this requirement.
- Employment: Candidates must be currently employed and committed to returning to their organization upon completion of the Fellowship.
- References: Two references are mandatory for the application, with one being from their current employer.
- Previous Fellowship: Applicants must not have received a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years at the time of accepting the award.
- Academic Programs: The Fellowship is not intended for academic research or study purposes. While academics can apply, their focus should be on programs of academic management, not research or courses related to their research subject.
- Availability: Successful candidates should be available to commence and conclude their fellowship within the specified dates.
By meeting these conditions, applicants will be eligible to apply for the Commonwealth Professional Fellowships for International Students, providing them with a valuable opportunity for professional growth and international collaboration.
Application Procedure:
To apply for the Commonwealth Professional Fellowships, interested candidates must complete an online application form and submit all the required information by the specified deadline. The fellowships will be granted for a duration ranging from six weeks to three months, starting from February 2024.
Applicants should be aware that all fellowships in the 2023/24 round are focused on the approved thematic areas, and thus, prospective fellows are required to be professionals working on related issues.
In the application form, applicants will be asked to provide the following details:
- List all undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications obtained, if applicable.
- List up to 10 publications and prizes, where applicable.
- Provide details of their employment history and explain how each job is relevant to the proposed fellowship program in the UK (up to 100 words per employment).
- Present a statement highlighting the relevance of their previous work experience to the proposed fellowship (up to 300 words).
- List the names and positions of up to three referees who can provide insights into their capacity to benefit from the fellowship in the UK and their ability to achieve development impact afterward. One of the referees must be their current employer.
- Include a Development Impact statement in four parts, where the first part (up to 200 words) explains how the proposed Fellowship aligns with the goals of COP 26 and SDGs 7, 13, and 14 by contributing to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering rates of air pollution, or promoting marine conservation.
- Describe the connection of the proposed fellowship to development issues at the global, national, and local levels, particularly those related to the theme of climate change and the wider sector.
By providing comprehensive and insightful information in their applications, prospective fellows can increase their chances of being considered for the prestigious Commonwealth Professional Fellowships and embark on a transformative professional journey.
