Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2026/27 for Least Developed Countries & Vulnerable States

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2026: Overview

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships support talented students from least developed countries (LDCs) and vulnerable states in the Commonwealth, enabling them to pursue full-time doctoral studies at UK universities.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the program is administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).

The scholarship aims to empower future leaders, innovators, and researchers who will return to their home countries to drive sustainable development while strengthening UK–UK-Commonwealth academic partnerships.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2026: Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.

• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

• Be available to start studies in the UK by September/October 2026.

• Hold by September 2026:

  • At least an upper second-class (2:1) bachelor’s degree, OR

  • A lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (Master’s).

• Not be registered for a PhD or MPhil leading to a PhD in the UK or their home country before September/October 2026.

• Be unable to afford UK studies without this scholarship.

• Provide all required documents in the correct format.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2026: Benefits (Financial Assistance)

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship provides:

• Airfare: Return ticket from home country to the UK.

• Tuition Fees: Fully covered by agreement between CSC & UK university.

• Living Stipend:

  • £1,452/month (outside London).

  • £1,781/month (London).

• Warm clothing allowance (where applicable).

• Study travel grant for research-related travel.

• Fieldwork funding, including airfare for overseas research.

• Mid-term home visit airfare (conditions apply).

• Family Allowances:

  • Spouse: £313/month (up to 9 months).

  • Child: £313/month for first child + £154/month for up to 2 more children.

  • Single parents: £622/month for first child + £154/month for up to 2 more children.

• Disability Support: Additional tailored financial assistance after assessment.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2026: Fellowship/Program Components

• Full-time PhD research at a recognized UK university.

• Opportunities for fieldwork in home countries or abroad.

• Networking & academic partnerships with global researchers.

• Potential leadership and development training.

Application Requirements

• Completed application via CSC Central online system.

• Academic transcripts and certificates.

• Proof of citizenship or refugee status.

• References (usually academic).

• Research proposal aligned with development priorities.

• Evidence of financial need.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are assessed based on:

1. Academic merit (previous academic performance, qualifications).

2. Quality of research proposal (relevance, originality, feasibility).

3. Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.

Application Process

1. Apply via CSC Central (application system).

   • Opening: 2 September 2025.

   • Closing: Based on the nominator’s deadline.

2. Apply through a nominator:

   • National nominating agencies (main route).

   • Approved NGOs and charitable organizations.

3. Each nominator sets their own eligibility rules & deadlines.

4. Nominators submit candidates to CSC by December 2025.

5. Results announced by July 2026 via email (monitor inbox & spam folders).

6. Scholarships begin in September/October 2026.

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2026