Applications are currently open for the Commonwealth Routledge Studentship Programme 2026 for eligible PhD students across Commonwealth countries.
The Commonwealth Routledge Studentship offers successful applicants a research grant of up to £5,500 to support research projects focused on Commonwealth-related issues and themes. The programme is funded by The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and its publisher, Routledge, in partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
Scholarship Summary
- Host: Commonwealth / Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
- Reward: £5,500 Grant
- Deadline: July 31, 2026
Scholarship Details
The Commonwealth Routledge Studentship Programme was established by Routledge, the publisher of The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs, to support doctoral research that advances understanding of issues affecting the Commonwealth. The initiative provides funding for research projects that contribute to knowledge and dialogue on Commonwealth-related topics.
The studentships are jointly funded by The Round Table, Routledge, and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Applications are encouraged from candidates in a wide range of humanities and social science disciplines. However, preference may be given to fields commonly covered by The Round Table journal, including politics, international relations, economics, international history, geography, law, development studies, and area studies.
Eligibility Criteria
To be qualified for the Commonwealth Routledge Studentship Programme, applicants must:
- Be a PhD student at a university in the United Kingdom, regardless of nationality; or
- Be a registered PhD student at an ACU member university in a Commonwealth country outside the UK; or
- Be a Chevening Scholar or Commonwealth Scholarship alumnus currently undertaking a PhD at any Commonwealth university outside the UK.
In addition, the proposed research must:
- Relate to the Commonwealth as a whole or to a Commonwealth-wide institution or organization; or
- Have a strong comparative Commonwealth focus; or
- Be relevant to a Commonwealth country other than the United Kingdom.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants of the Commonwealth Routledge Studentship Programme will receive:
- A research grant of up to £5,500.
- Funding support for approved Commonwealth-related research activities.
- Opportunity to contribute to greater understanding of Commonwealth issues through academic research.
Required Documents
To apply for this studentship, applicants must prepare to submit:
- A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A studentship plan outlining:
- The work to be undertaken during the studentship in non-technical language.
- The expected impact of the research and its contribution to knowledge in the field.
- How the project will enhance understanding of the Commonwealth.
- The anticipated outcomes and outputs of the research.
- Two letters of support:
- One academic reference (preferably from a PhD/DPhil supervisor).
- One personal reference.
- An outline explaining how the grant funds will be used.
How to Apply
To apply for the Commonwealth Routledge Studentship Programme:
- Visit the ACU scholarship webpage.
- Carefully review the application guidance.
- Download the application form in either PDF or Word format.
- Complete the application form accurately.
- Submit the completed application form together with your current CV to [email protected].
- Kindly wait for feedback from the organizers.
Applications for this opportunity are open until July 31, 2026.
To begin the scholarship application process, click HERE
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