The Commonwealth Scholarship Council (CSC) has officially opened applications for the 2026 edition of the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship.
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is a fully funded program combining both in-person immersion and online training to equip selected entrepreneurs with advanced skills, up-to-date industry knowledge, and access to an international network.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: Commonwealth Scholarship Council
- Category: Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
- Reward: Full Sponsorship | Living Allowance | Travel + Visa Costs | Accommodation | Access to Grants
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: June 30, 2025
Scholarship Details
The 2026 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is a six-month program aimed at fostering the growth of promising startups from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
The program combines face-to-face sessions with virtual learning modules to provide participants with vital entrepreneurial skills, strategic insights, and access to global networks. The initiative, delivered by CSC in collaboration with Imperial College London, is designed to help founders scale their businesses, drive innovation, and generate employment opportunities within their local economies.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, applicants must:
- Hold at least a graduate-level qualification
- Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible low or middle-income Commonwealth country
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Be proficient in English (both written and spoken)
- Have not received a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the past five years
- Be available to participate in the program from the official start date
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- Evidence of innovation in product, service, or market
- Startup must have been actively developed for a minimum of six months, with clear commitment from the team
- Existence of a minimum viable product, service, or prototype
- Proof of early customer engagement or traction — this could include pre-sales, signed contracts, customer interest, or similar validation
Scholarship Benefits
Each selected fellow will receive:
- Paid return airfare from their home country to attend the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana
- Coverage for accommodation, local travel, and meals during the bootcamp
- Reimbursement of the standard visa application fee
- Reimbursement for required vaccinations
- Access to a Fellow’s Grant Fund to support business needs or fellowship participation
- If applicable, a needs-based assessment and additional financial support for fellows with declared disabilities
Required Documents
Applicants will need to prepare and submit:
- Updated CV or résumé
- Details of academic qualifications
- Employment history
- Referee contacts
- Documentation about their startup
- Required essays (as part of the application)
- A scan of a valid passport or national ID card
How to Apply
To apply for the 2026 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, interested and qualified candidates should:
- Visit the program’s website and learn more about the fellowship
- Review the eligibility requirements and gather all necessary documents
- Complete the online application form, providing required personal details, documents, and essays
- Include information about qualifications, employment background, referees, and startup details
- Upload a scanned copy of a valid passport or national identity card
- Submit the application by June 30, 2025
To begin the fellowship application process, click HERE
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