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Applications are now open for the Commonwealth Foundation Grant which offers up to £60,000 for civil society organizations to facilitate engagement with decision-makers. Find out eligibility, benefits, and how to apply for the 2026 programme.
The Commonwealth Foundation Grant is an award of £60,000 for projects lasting up to two years to civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Commonwealth.
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The 2026 Commonwealth Grants support projects that seek to facilitate constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers, including civil society participation in policy development and implementation. You can get more insight into winning grants by checking out these qualities of scholarship winners.
On this page, you will find everything you need to apply to the Commonwealth annual open grants call. Remember to check eligibility information carefully before applying.
Programme Summary
- Host: Commonwealth Foundation
- Category: Grant
- Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
- Reward: £60,000 Grant
- Deadline: October 23, 2025
Programme Details
Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme. The Commonwealth Foundation provides grants of up to £60,000 for projects lasting up to two years to civil society organisations. The grants support projects that seek to facilitate constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers, including civil society participation in policy development and decision-making.
The Commonwealth Foundation programme is unique for several reasons:
- It provides prestigious grants for excellent research in the name of the applicant.
- It offers awards for bottom-up, non-directed research.
- It funds projects across all disciplines, from archaeology to zoology.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the 2026 Commonwealth Grant Programme, you must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must be a not-for-profit civil society organisation (CSO) registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation Member State.
- The applicant organisation must have a minimum of three years’ demonstrable experience working on participatory governance and advocacy within the area(s) of the proposed project. Organisations with less than three years of experience are not eligible.
- The project must seek to facilitate change through constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers. You can get more information on how to write a winning scholarship essay or why you deserve this scholarship essay to help you craft your application.
- Proposals must relate to projects expected to begin after August 1, 2025 and before the end of September 2025.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
To apply for the 2026 Commonwealth Grant Programme, interested and qualified candidates should follow these procedures:
- Visit the Commonwealth webpage by clicking the link below.
- Check your eligibility by completing the online eligibility quiz and verifying that your country is eligible on the provided map.
- Register with SurveyMonkey Apply.
- Complete the online application form.
- Provide all required additional documentation.
- Ensure you have successfully submitted your application. Learn about how to apply for scholarships successfully.
Benefits of the Grant
The Commonwealth Foundation Grant Programme offers significant support to civil society organizations in the Commonwealth. The key benefits include:
- Project Funding: Grants of up to £60,000 are awarded to CSOs for projects lasting up to two years. This financial support is crucial for implementing meaningful projects that facilitate civic engagement and policy change.
- Project Duration: The two-year project timeline allows for a comprehensive and impactful project, giving organizations enough time to achieve their goals and demonstrate tangible results.
- Thematic Focus: The grants support projects that address one or more of three priority themes: Health Justice, Freedom of Expression, and Climate Justice. This targeted approach ensures that the funding contributes to specific, high-impact areas of need.
Application Deadline: October 23, 2025
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the maximum amount of funding available through this grant? The grant provides up to £60,000 for a project.
- How long can a funded project last? Projects can last for up to two years.
- Who is eligible to apply for this grant? The grant is open to not-for-profit civil society organizations (CSOs) registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation Member State.
- What is the minimum experience required for an applicant organization? Applicant organizations must have at least three years of demonstrable experience in participatory governance and advocacy.
- What are the funding priorities of the 2026 Commonwealth Grant Programme? The program’s funding priorities are Health Justice, Freedom of Expression, and Climate Justice.
- Can I apply if my organization has been registered for less than three years? No, organizations with less than three years of experience are not eligible to apply.
- Is there an eligibility quiz that must be completed? Yes, you must complete the eligibility quiz and check your country’s eligibility before applying.
- When are the funded projects expected to begin? Projects must begin after August 1, 2025, and before the end of September 2025.
- Do I need to submit any additional documentation with my online application? Yes, you must provide all required additional documentation.
- Is this grant available to individuals? No, this grant is for civil society organizations (CSOs), not individuals.
