The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is one of the largest and most prestigious scholarships schemes for international study in the world. Since it was established in 1959, 27,000 individuals have benefited.
On the CSFP website, you can find information on:
- which countries are offering Commonwealth Scholarships at the moment
- who to contact in your own country
- how past and present Scholars and alumni can stay in touch with the wider CSFP community
- how to support the further expansion of this unique scheme, through the 50th anniversary endowment fund
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The CSFP was established at the first Commonwealth education conference in 1959 and is reviewed by education ministers at their triennial meetings – the only scholarship scheme in the world to receive such high-level recognition.
The CSFP was set up to provide a framework through which any Commonwealth government could offer scholarships or career development opportunities to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The five main principles of the Plan, laid down at the time of its formation, are that it would:
•be distinct and additional to any other schemes
•be based on mutual cooperation and the sharing of educational experience among all Commonwealth countries
•be flexible, to take account of changing needs over time
•be Commonwealth-wide, and based on a series of bilateral arrangements between home and host countries
•recognise and promote the highest level of intellectual achievement
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Countries offering awards
The following Commonwealth countries currently offer Commonwealth Scholarships (though may not be inviting applications at the present time). For further information, please contact the national agency in your home country. Please note, however, that not all Commonwealth Scholarships are offered to all Commonwealth countries.
Botswana
Botswana recently announced that it will support 4 postgraduate Commonwealth Scholarships each year, based at the University of Botswana.
Brunei Darussalam
Universiti Brunei Darussalam offers Commonwealth Scholarships for doctoral study. Please note that these scholarships are offered through the Universiti Brunei Darussalam and that applicants should seek information from and apply directly to the institution, not through their national agency.
Cameroon
The University of Maroua, Cameroon, is offering 1 Commonwealth Fellowship in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
Cameroon offered 1 Commonwealth Scholarship for Master’s study at the University of Buea in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
Canada
Canada offers short-term exchange opportunities to citizens of Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean through:
•Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program and Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) for study or research in Canada at college, undergraduate, and graduate levels
•Canada-CARICOM Virtual University Scholarship Program for select diploma or certificate programmes by distance learning
•Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program for faculty or staff for professional development, graduate study or research at Canadian postsecondary institutions
India
India offers Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study.
Jamaica
Jamaica offers 1 Commonwealth Scholarship each year for Master’s or PhD study.
Kenya
Kenya offered 1 Commonwealth Scholarship for Master’s study at the University of Nairobi in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
Malaysia
Malaysia offers up to 10 Commonwealth Scholarships each year for Master’s and PhD study.
Mauritius
Mauritius offered 1 Commonwealth Scholarship for Master’s study at the University of Mauritius in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
New Zealand
New Zealand offers Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study.
Nigeria
Nigeria offered 1 BNET Commonwealth Fellowship at the University of Ibadan in 2011 and 2012, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
Singapore
The National University of Singapore offers two Commonwealth Scholarships at its Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering annually. Please note that these scholarships are offered through the National University of Singapore and that applicants should seek information from and apply directly to the institution, not through their national agency.
South Africa
South Africa offered 5 Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s study at selected universities in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific offered 1 Commonwealth Scholarship for Master’s study in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka offered 3 Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s study at selected universities in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
Swaziland
Swaziland offered 1 Commonwealth Scholarship for Master’s study at the University of Swaziland in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
Tanzania
Tanzania offered 1 Commonwealth Scholarship for Master’s study at the University of Dar es Salaam in 2013, supported by the CSFP endowment fund.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago offers Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom offers 7 types of award:
•Commonwealth Scholarships for PhD research
•Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s study
•Commonwealth Shared Scholarships with UK universities in support of Master’s programmes
•Commonwealth Academic Fellowships for staff serving in developing country universities
•Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships for PhD students to spend up to one year in the UK
•Commonwealth Professional Fellowships for mid-career professionals in developing countries
•Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for developing country students to study UK Master’s degree courses while living in their own countries.
