The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) is a prestigious opportunity designed for academic staff and professionals from Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) who wish to pursue a PhD while continuing their professional careers. This initiative, inspired by His Majesty King Charles III, aims to strengthen research expertise and support sustainable development in key sectors essential to the resilience, economic stability, and long-term prosperity of SIDS.
Fellowship Overview
Host Institutions: Universities in SIDS with partner institutions in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the UK
Eligible Degree: PhD
Eligible Applicants: Citizens or refugees from Commonwealth SIDS
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Research Areas:
Climate Change & Environment
Education
Engineering
Health
Application Deadline: April 25, 2025
About the Fellowship
The KCFP PhD Fellowship is uniquely designed for professionals committed to addressing critical global challenges in climate resilience, education, engineering, and healthcare. The program allows fellows to conduct their research in their home countries while benefiting from joint supervision and periodic research visits to an international partner university (in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the UK).
This blended learning approach ensures access to world-class research facilities, expert mentorship, and professional development training, equipping fellows with the necessary skills to drive positive change in their communities.
Fellowship Benefits
The fully funded KCFP PhD Fellowship provides:
✔ GBP 30,000 over six years (GBP 5,000 per year) for research and research visits to a partner university
✔ Waiver of international tuition fees during the visiting period(s)
✔ GBP 12,000 research support grant (GBP 2,000 per year)
✔ 20% salary contribution to the fellow’s employer for six years
✔ Joint PhD supervision from a partner university and the home university
✔ Access to partner university resources, including libraries and research databases
✔ Training and development opportunities in leadership, policy engagement, public speaking, and research funding applications
✔ Membership in the ‘King’s Fellows cohort’ for networking and knowledge exchange
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
✔ Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience
✔ Be currently enrolled or set to enroll in a PhD program at an ACU SIDS member university for the 2025/26 academic year
✔ Have research aligned with one of the four focus areas (Climate Change, Education, Engineering, or Health)
✔ Be a citizen or hold refugee status in a Commonwealth SIDS country
Eligible Countries
✅ Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles, The Maldives
✅ Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, The Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago
✅ Pacific: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)
Follow these steps to apply for the KCFP PhD Fellowship:
1️⃣ Confirm Your Eligibility – Ensure you meet all academic and professional requirements.
2️⃣ Enroll in a PhD Program – Secure admission at an ACU SIDS member university for the 2025/26 academic year.
3️⃣ Prepare Your Documents – Gather required materials, including academic transcripts, research proposal, and reference letters.
4️⃣ Complete the Online Application – Submit your application via the official KCFP application portal before the deadline.
5️⃣ Apply Before the Deadline – Applications close on April 25, 2025.
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