The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship undergraduate pathway offers fully funded study for students from eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States. The Association of Commonwealth Universities has opened 11 undergraduate fellowships for students due to begin an eligible undergraduate programme between January and December 2027. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) administers the scheme on behalf of the programme, with the current call covering full tuition, a living-cost stipend and eligible return travel support. Interested students should confirm their country and start-date eligibility early, since the application closes at a fixed time later this year.
Applications close on 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1. Four fellowships are open across all 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS, while seven are ringfenced for applicants from Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu. Applicants who already hold a higher-education qualification are not eligible, since the pathway is reserved for students beginning their first undergraduate programme. Candidates from the seven ringfenced countries may also be considered under the open competition if they meet every requirement.
King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Details
The undergraduate fellowships are part of the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme and are administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The pathway supports undergraduate study linked to climate resilience and sustainable development priorities in Commonwealth SIDS.
The current call provides 11 awards. Applicants must be citizens or qualifying refugees of one of the 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS and must be due to start their first higher-education qualification during 2027.
Programme | KCFP |
|---|---|
Level | Undergraduate |
Awards | 11 fellowships |
Eligible group | Applicants from 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS |
Study start | January–December 2027 |
Funding | Fully funded study support |
Application deadline | 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1 |
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King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Benefits
The ACU describes these awards as fully funded. Funding can include full tuition where tuition is not already covered by government support, a living-cost stipend, and one return journey home each year where applicable.
The precise financial arrangement can depend on the recipient’s programme and existing government funding. Applicants should therefore read the current award guidance and host-institution information before making financial plans.
Also Check: Guidance Gem also covers the Commonwealth Graduate Scholarships for applicants looking at postgraduate UK study.
Related opportunity: Applicants comparing another current scholarship can review King Abdulaziz University Scholarship and compare its eligibility, funding and application timeline with this opportunity.
Fellowship Eligibility
Applicants must be citizens or qualifying refugees of an eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing State. They must be preparing to start undergraduate study between January and December 2027 in an eligible programme.
Applicants must not already hold a higher-education qualification. Four awards are open across the full eligible SIDS list, while applicants from the seven ringfenced states can be considered for both the ringfenced and open competitions if all requirements are met.
Also explore: For another published Guidance Gem option in a related area, see King's Chevening Scholarship and compare its eligibility, funding and application timeline with this opportunity.
Requirements and Required Documents
Applicants should follow the ACU application guidance for the current undergraduate fellowship pathway and provide the education, citizenship or refugee-status and programme information requested by the official form.
The ACU specifically advises applicants to read the application guidance and FAQs before starting. Any supporting evidence requested by the live application system should be prepared in the format specified there.
How to Apply for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship
Applications are submitted through the ACU’s official fellowship page. Candidates should use the current KCFP Undergraduate Fellowships page and its application guidance.
Before submitting, applicants should confirm that their country, intended undergraduate start date and programme meet the current rules. The ACU application form is the controlling submission route for this cycle.
Application Deadline
The undergraduate fellowship application closes on 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1. The ACU funding calendar lists the opportunity as open for the current cycle.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours because eligibility and document checks should be completed before submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are quick answers to the questions applicants ask most often about eligibility, funding and the application deadline.
With 11 fellowships split between 4 open places and 7 places ringfenced for specific Commonwealth small island states, applicants often want to confirm which country group they fall into before the October 14, 2026 deadline.
How many undergraduate fellowships are available?
The current call offers 11 undergraduate fellowships.
Is the undergraduate fellowship fully funded?
Yes. The ACU describes the undergraduate pathway as fully funded, with tuition support, a living stipend and eligible return travel support.
Who can apply?
Applicants must come from an eligible Commonwealth SIDS and satisfy the current citizenship or refugee-status, education and 2027 undergraduate-start requirements.
Do applicants need an existing university degree?
No. The undergraduate pathway is for applicants beginning their first higher-education qualification and does not accept applicants who already hold a higher-education qualification.
Final Thoughts
The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship creates 11 fully funded undergraduate opportunities for eligible students from Commonwealth Small Island Developing States to begin study in 2027.
Applicants should review the country and programme rules carefully and submit through the official ACU system before 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1.
