King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme PhDs

The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) PhD Fellowships, inspired by His Majesty King Charles III, offers an  opportunity for individuals in SIDS to pursue a PhD while working. The program empowers professionals and academics from Small Island developing states(SIDS) for sustainable growth. 

The fellowship is for researchers and professionals to build expertise in areas like climate change, education, and engineering. This program will upskill the participants and bridge local expertise with global academic works. 

Why is fellowship important?

Small Island Developing States face unique challenges, from climate threats to resource limitations. The KCFP PhD Fellowships aim to:

• Strengthen local research capacity.
• Address community-specific needs through advanced studies.
• Foster collaboration between SIDS and leading Commonwealth universities.

Key Features of the Fellowship

The fellowship has a flexible PhD structure to support the learners. The must be:

• Enroll in a PhD program at an accredited university in your SIDS home country.
• Work alongside your studies, ensuring you contribute to your community while learning.
• Receive guidance from supervisors at both your home university and a partner institution in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the UK.
• Attend research training or study periods at the partner university

Research must align with one of four critical fields:

• Climate Change/Environment
• Education
• Engineering
• Health

Who Can Apply for King’s Commonwealth Fellowship?
To qualify, applicants must meet all criteria:

• Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Be enrolled (or starting) in a PhD program at an ACU SIDS member university during the 2025/26 academic year.
• Be a citizen or refugee of a Commonwealth SIDS (see eligible countries below).

Eligible Countries

• Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles
• Asia: Maldives
• Caribbean & Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago
• Pacific: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Indigenous community members are strongly encouraged to apply.

Benefits of the Fellowship

• GBP 30,000 over 6 years (GBP 5,000/year) for research and international visits.
• Waived international tuition fees during partner university visits.
• GBP 12,000 research grant (GBP 2,000/year).
• 20% contribution to your employer over six years.
• Access to partner university libraries and databases.
• Training in communication, policy engagement, and research funding applications.

List of Participating Universities

ACU member universities in Commonwealth SIDS are:

• Fiji National University
• The University of Fiji
• The University of the South Pacific
• Divine Word University
• Papua New Guinea University of Technology
• University of Papua New Guinea
• National University of Samoa
• American University of Barbados School of Medicine
• Galen University
• University of Belize
• University College of the Cayman Islands
• Texila American University
• University of Guyana
• Caribbean Maritime University
• The University of the West Indies
• Saint James School of Medicine
• University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS)
• Avid College
• Maldives National University
• Villa College
• Open University of Mauritius
• University of Mauritius
• University of Technology Mauritius
• University of Seychelles 

List of Required Documents for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme

1. Personal and Contact Details
   • Scanned copy of passport or national ID
2. Academic & Employment Records
   • Degree certificates for the last three academic degrees (Master’s, Undergraduate, etc.)
   • Academic transcripts containing a list of all courses undertaken for each degree
   • CV/resume detailing academic and professional background
   • If no postgraduate degree:
     • Undergraduate certificate and transcript
     • CV indicating equivalent experience to replace the postgraduate degree
3. SIDS Home University Details
   • Official letter from the SIDS university confirming:
     • Enrollment in a PhD program
     • Support for participation in the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme
     • Signed by the Head of Department/Faculty hosting the PhD candidate
     • Formatted on official university letterhead
     • Email address of the signatory included for verification purposes
4. PhD Project Details & Anticipated Impact
   • PhD research proposal summary (300-600 words), including:
     • Research hypothesis – Explain the research idea, its novelty, and timeliness
     • Research aims and objectives – Define the overall aim and measurable objectives
     • Significance – Describe why the research is important and its contribution to the field
   • Motivation statement (300-500 words), answering:
     • What inspired you to apply for this programme?
     • How will your research contribute to your future career plans?
     • What skills do you expect to gain from this fellowship?
     • How will you share and apply the knowledge gained with your local community?
   • Impact statement (300-500 words), answering:
     • How will your research benefit your home island state (society, culture, environment, or economy)?
     • How will your research contribute to climate resilience in your country?
     • How do you plan to generate high-quality research for your home country in the future?
5. Preferred Host Universities
   • List of three preferred universities based on available options for your research theme
   • Ranking of your preferred universities

Important Notes

• Ensure all documents are properly formatted before submission.
• No changes can be made after submission, so double-check all information.
• Follow official guidelines for formatting and submission requirements.

How to Apply

Online Application: Submit via the official portal before the deadline.

Deadline: 25 April 2025 at 13:00 UTC.

Tip: Review the application guide and FAQs thoroughly before applying.

The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme PhDs are a lifeline for SIDS professionals determined to create lasting change. If you’re passionate about advancing climate resilience, healthcare, education, or engineering in your nation, apply now and seize this opportunity to grow as a leader and researcher.

Act Now
Visit the official KCFP website to start your application. 

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