Fully Funded King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) 2026 for international students in UK

Applications are now open for the Fully Funded King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) 2026 for international students in UK

Program Summary

• Host Institution: $\text{UK}$ Universities / $\text{SIDS}$ Universities (In-Country Study with $\text{ACU}$ support)
• Location: $\text{UK}$ / $\text{SIDS}$ (Programme-dependent)
• Category: Fully Funded | $\text{PhD}$ Fellowships | Professional Fellowships | Undergraduate Scholarships
• Eligible Countries: Citizens/Residents of eligible Commonwealth $\text{SIDS}$ (See full list below)
• Reward: Full Tuition Fees, Living Stipends, Research Grants, Training
• Duration: $\text{1}$ year (Part-time) to multi-year ($\text{PhD}$)
• Application Deadlines: Rolling/Open ($\text{PhD}$); October $\text{2025}$ (Climate Resilience); Mid-$\text{2026}$ (Undergraduate)

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The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme ($\text{KCFP}$) $\text{2026}$ is a prestigious, fully funded initiative launched under the Association of Commonwealth Universities ($\text{ACU}$), inspired by $\text{His Majesty King Charles III}$. This transformative program aims to strengthen education, health, climate resilience, and public service leadership across Commonwealth Small Island Developing States ($\text{SIDS}$).

$\text{KCFP}$ addresses pressing social, environmental, and developmental challenges facing $\text{SIDS}$ by offering comprehensive support for academic and professional development. It embodies the spirit of unity, collaboration, and shared learning to empower the communities most affected by global challenges.

Available Subjects and Degree Level

The fellowship supports a range of academic and professional subjects critical to $\text{SIDS}$ development.

• Degree Level: $\text{PhD}$ Fellowships, Professional Fellowships, Undergraduate Scholarships
• Subjects: All subjects, with a particular focus on areas addressing $\text{SIDS}$ challenges, including:
  • Education, Healthcare, and Engineering (Undergraduate focus)
  • Climate Adaptation and Sustainability (Mid-career focus)
  • Social, Environmental, and Developmental Studies ($\text{PhD}$ focus)

KCFP Program Streams

1. $\text{KCFP}$ $\text{PhD}$ Fellowships (In-Country Doctoral Study): Designed to upskill academic staff based at $\text{SIDS}$ universities through doctoral study in their home country, with joint supervision and training from partner institutions.
2. $\text{KCFP}$ Climate Resilience Fellowships: Aimed at mid-career professionals in public, civil, and private sectors working on climate adaptation. Combines online and in-person modules over $\text{1}$ year ($\text{part-time}$).
3. $\text{KCFP}$ Undergraduate Scholarships: Supports undergraduate students in fields like education, healthcare, and engineering, addressing critical skill shortages in $\text{SIDS}$.

King’s KCFP Scholarship Benefits (Fully Funded)

All $\text{KCFP}$ awards provide comprehensive financial and institutional support:

• Tuition & Stipends: Full tuition fees and generous living stipends.
• Support: Coverage for research and training grants.
• Networking: Access to global academic networks through the $\text{ACU}$.
• Development: Professional development workshops, leadership training, and international mentorship.
• Collaboration: Access to a Virtual Community of Practice for shared problem-solving. For more on global academic opportunities, see International Student Resources.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is tied specifically to the applicant’s citizenship and professional status within an eligible $\text{SIDS}$ country.

Eligible Nationalities ($\text{SIDS}$ Citizens/Residents Only)

General Eligibility Requirements (Stream Specific)

• $\text{PhD}$ Fellowships: Must be academic staff or researchers at a recognized $\text{SIDS}$ university, holding a Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Climate Resilience Fellowships: Open to mid-career professionals in government, $\text{NGOs}$, or private sectors working on environmental or climate issues, demonstrating leadership potential.
• Undergraduate Scholarships: Must be a citizen or permanent resident of an eligible $\text{SIDS}$ country, eligible for university admission in their home country.

Application Procedure

The application timelines vary significantly by program stream. Applicants must actively monitor the $\text{ACU}$ funding calendar.

Application Timeline

Program Stream	Application Opens	Status
Climate Resilience Fellowships	October $\text{2025}$	Open
$\text{PhD}$ Fellowships	Rolling applications expected through $\text{2025}–\text{2026}$	Rolling
Undergraduate Scholarships	Mid-$\text{2026}$	Upcoming

How to Apply

1. Monitor Calendar: Applicants must monitor the official $\text{ACU}$ Funding Opportunities Calendar for precise deadlines and application portals for their specific stream. You can search for this calendar using Scholarship Application Guides.
2. Prepare Documents: The required documents will depend on the stream but typically include academic transcripts, $\text{CV}$, and a statement outlining commitment to local community impact.
3. Follow Instructions: Applications are generally submitted online via the $\text{ACU}$ portal during the application window for each stream. For advice on professional applications, consider resources on Student Career Services.
4. Community Commitment: The program strongly encourages graduates to serve their island communities, which should be reflected in the application.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the $\text{KCFP}$ a fully funded fellowship?

Yes, all $\text{KCFP}$ awards are fully funded, covering tuition fees, living stipends, and research/training grants.

2. Who can apply for the $\text{KCFP}$?

Only citizens or permanent residents of eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States ($\text{SIDS}$) can apply.

3. What is the duration of the Climate Resilience Fellowship?

The Climate Resilience Fellowship lasts for $\text{1}$ year and is designed to be completed part-time while the professional continues working.

4. What is the main focus of the $\text{KCFP}$ $\text{PhD}$ Fellowships?

The $\text{PhD}$ Fellowships focus on up-skilling academic staff in $\text{SIDS}$ through in-country doctoral study with international supervision.

5. When do the applications for the King’s KCFP Scholarship for Undergraduate open?

Applications for the Undergraduate Scholarships are expected to open in mid-$\text{2026}$.

6. What subjects are supported by the Fully Funded UK Commonwealth?

The program supports all subjects, though priority is often given to fields addressing $\text{SIDS}$ needs, such as education, healthcare, engineering, and climate resilience.

7. Which countries are considered eligible $\text{SIDS}$ in the Caribbean?

Eligible Caribbean $\text{SIDS}$ include Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Cayman Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

8. Does the fellowship require study in the $\text{UK}$?

No, the $\text{PhD}$ Fellowships are for in-country doctoral study at $\text{SIDS}$ universities, though the program is globally managed by the $\text{ACU}$ (UK-based) and includes international mentorship.

9. What organizations support the $\text{KCFP}$?

The program is a prestigious initiative launched under the Association of Commonwealth Universities ($\text{ACU}$) and is supported by the Khalili Foundation.

10. Who are the Climate Resilience Fellowships for?

They are aimed at mid-career professionals in the public, civil, and private sectors who are actively working on climate adaptation and sustainability issues.