The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Strengthening education, health and climate resilience in Small Island Developing States.
Application Deadline: 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1
Tell Me About The Award:
The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) Undergraduate Fellowships provide an opportunity for students from eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to undertake undergraduate study in their home country or immediate region.
The programme aims to develop skills, knowledge and leadership in areas important to national development, including education, engineering, health and sustainable tourism.
Which Fields are Eligible?
Eligible programmes vary by host university and include:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Education
- Nursing
- Health Sciences
- Science/Secondary Teaching
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Mathematics Education
- Geomatics
- Town and Country Planning
- Occupational Safety and Health Management
- Travel and Tourism Management
- Teaching in Primary and Special Educational Needs
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Type:
Fully funded undergraduate fellowship.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen or recognised refugee of one of the 24 eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- Be due to commence undergraduate study between January and December 2027.
- Not hold a higher education qualification, including a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification.
- Select an undergraduate programme from the approved programmes advertised for their chosen KCFP Host University.
- Undertake studies at an approved KCFP Host University in their home country, or in another approved university within their immediate region if there is no host university in their home country.
Indigenous community members are especially encouraged to apply, although this is not an eligibility requirement.
How Are Applicants Selected?
The source explains that fellowships are allocated through:
- 7 ringfenced fellowships for applicants from Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.
- 4 fellowships open to applicants from all 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS.
Applicants from the seven ringfenced countries will be considered for both the ringfenced fellowships and the open competition, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
The 24 eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States are:
Caribbean and Americas
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
Indian Ocean
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
Pacific
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Where Will the Award Be Taken?
Fellows must study at an approved KCFP Host University in their home country where available. If there is no host university in their home country, they may study at an approved host university within their immediate region.
The approved host universities are:
- Fiji National University — Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu
- National University of Samoa — Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu
- Papua New Guinea University of Technology — Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands
- University of Belize — Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica
- University of Mauritius — Mauritius and Seychelles
- University of Technology, Mauritius — Mauritius and Seychelles
- University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) — Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago
- Villa College — Maldives
How Many Awards?
11 King’s Commonwealth Fellowships are available under this pathway:
- 7 ringfenced fellowships
- 4 fellowships open to applicants from all 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS
What Is the Benefit of the Award?
The fellowship provides:
- Full tuition fees, where full tuition is not already covered by the government.
- A stipend to cover basic living costs.
- One return ticket to the fellow’s home island for every year of study, where applicable.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Access to a strong alumni network.
How Long Will the Award Last?
The source does not specify a fixed fellowship duration. It states that fellows will receive one return ticket to their home island for every year of study, where applicable.
How to Apply:
Applications open on 14 September 2026 and close on 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1.
Applicants are strongly advised to read the application guidance and FAQs before beginning their application.
Applicants must select an approved undergraduate programme at an eligible KCFP Host University and ensure that they meet the admission requirements for the selected programme.
