Commonwealth Split-site PhD Scholarships 2025/2026: Applications Now Open

The Commonwealth Split-site PhD Scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year are now accepting applications. These scholarships provide an opportunity for researchers from low- and middle-income Commonwealth nations, as defined by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), to spend 12 months conducting research at a university in the United Kingdom.

Overview of the Program

Administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK, this program is part of the UK government’s international development initiatives. It is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and operates under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). The scholarships symbolize the UK’s long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth, aiming to foster international collaboration and sustainable development.

The program identifies and supports exceptional individuals with demonstrated potential, empowering them to become leaders and innovators in their home countries. By blending academic excellence with international development goals, the CSC facilitates partnerships that contribute to the mutual growth of scholars and their host and home nations.

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients of the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships will receive the following:

1. Travel Costs:
   • Full coverage of approved airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and back at the conclusion of the program.
   • Dependants’ travel costs or journeys taken before the confirmation of the award are not reimbursed.
2. Tuition Fees:
   • All tuition fees are covered through an agreement between the CSC and the UK university, ensuring scholars are not responsible for any portion of the cost.
3. Living Allowance:
   • A monthly stipend of £1,378 for those studying outside London.
   • A higher monthly allowance of £1,690 for scholars attending institutions within the London metropolitan area.
4. Additional Allowances:
   • Warm clothing allowance, if applicable.
   • A study travel grant for costs related to academic travel within or outside the UK.
   • A child allowance of £590 per month for the first child and £146 per month for the second and third child (under 16 years old), provided the scholar is widowed, divorced, or a single parent with children living at the same UK address.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify:

• Nationality and Residence:
  • Be a citizen of, or have refugee status from, a Commonwealth country.
  • Be permanently residing in an eligible Commonwealth nation.
• Academic Enrollment:
  • Be registered for a PhD at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country by the program’s start date in September 2025.
• Institutional Link:
  • Establish an institutional or departmental link between the applicant’s home university and the proposed UK university.
  • Both supervisors must provide detailed supporting statements about the collaboration to validate the application.
• Academic Qualifications:
  • Possess a first degree with at least an upper second-class (2:1) honors standard, or a lower second-class degree alongside a relevant postgraduate qualification (typically a Master’s degree).
• Financial Need:
  • Demonstrate an inability to afford study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Documentation:
  • Submit all required supporting documents in the prescribed format.
• Availability:
  • Be prepared to begin studies in the UK in September 2025.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following factors:

1. Academic Merit: The candidate’s academic achievements and potential.
2. Research Proposal: The quality and feasibility of the research project.
3. Development Impact: The potential for the research to contribute meaningfully to the development of the applicant’s home country.

Application Process

Applications for the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic session are open. The deadline for submissions is 16:00 GMT on Monday, December 16, 2024.

To apply, visit the official scholarship portal and complete the application form by the specified deadline.

Additional Information

For comprehensive details about the Commonwealth Split-site PhD Scholarships, visit their official website.

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