Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states) Grant

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Last Updated: October 14, 2025

Summary

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are designed for citizens of least developed countries and fragile states within the Commonwealth, allowing them to pursue full-time doctoral studies at UK universities. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, these scholarships aim to develop research capacity and support individuals who otherwise could not afford to study in the UK, fostering future leaders and innovators in their home countries.

Overview

NOTE: Participating nominators put forward an agreed number of candidates to the CSC for consideration. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships. Commonwealth PhD ScholarshipsCommonwealth PhD Scholarships are for applicants from least developed countries and fragile States, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration. Purpose Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth PhD scholarships contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by supporting research that will have a developmental impact. They also enhance individual teaching and research capacity leading to increase institutional capacity in academic and other sectors in Commonwealth countries, and will contribute to UK higher education and research by attracting high-calibre international applicants and encouraging links and collaboration, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Intended beneficiaries Commonwealth PhD scholarships are for high-quality graduates who have the potential to undertake world-class research of a developmental nature and to become influential leaders, teachers, or researchers in their home countries.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must:Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country. Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2024. By September 2024, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).The CSC recognises that disabled people have often faced and overcome challenges or barriers in their education journey which have prevented them achieving the academic requirement for a Commonwealth Scholarship. Disabled applicants who can demonstrate their potential to contribute to international development but who do not hold a 2:1 Undergraduate degree may be considered for a contextualised nomination through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) nominator. For more information, please contact CDPF directly. Not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2024. Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship. Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.There is no age limit for CSC applications.