The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship runs for six months and combines in-person experiences with online learning. It helps high-potential startups from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries build essential skills, gain cutting-edge knowledge and access a global network.
The programme aims to equip entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, pitch fluently and create jobs in their home countries. Applications open from 3 August to 1 September 2026.You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.
Applicant Eligibility:
Candidates must meet all criteria to be eligible:
General Requirements
- Be at least graduate level
- Be a citizen of or have refugee status in an eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth country
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Be fluent in written and spoken English
- Not have completed a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the last five years
- Be available to start on 16 November 2026 and attend both the Bootcamp in Accra, Ghana (25 January – 4 February 2027) and the Capstone Week in London, UK (14 – 21 May 2027)
Business Requirements
- Your startup must be a registered legal entity with meaningful progress
- It must show innovation, commercial traction, customer demand and growth potential
- You must operate a sustainable business model that creates positive economic, social or environmental impact and is not reliant on donations or grants
- You must have been operating for at least 12 months with a product or service available to paying customers
Eligible Countries
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- India
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- St Helena
- St Lucia
- St Vincent
- The Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
Also Check: PhD, Research & Postdoc positions at ELLIS Institute and Tampere University
Completing the Application:
Applications must be submitted via the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission form (open 3 August – 1 September 2026). You cannot edit the form after submission.
You will need to provide:
- Details of your business, your role and your team
- Names and positions of two referees
- A one-minute video elevator pitch (MP4 format, password if needed)
- A scan of your passport or national identity card
Also Check: PhD, Research & Postdoc positions at ELLIS Institute and Tampere University
Financial Support:
Each fellowship includes:
- Return travel, accommodation, travel and catering for both the Accra bootcamp and London capstone
- Visa application fee reimbursement
- Up to £2,000 in equity-free grants for business or participation costs
- Additional support if you declare a disability
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General Conditions:
- Strict adherence to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Code of Conduct is required
- The programme may be terminated for unsatisfactory conduct, attendance or other reasons
- Personal data is used for due diligence and may be shared as needed
- All terms are subject to UK law and may change
Also Check: Herder Fellowships at the Herder Institute, Germany
How to Apply:
- Submit your application through the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission online form
- Provide details about your business, your role, and your team.
- List two qualified referees.
- Record and upload a one-minute video elevator pitch (MP4 format; password if required).
- Attach a scan of your passport or national identity card.
Also Check: ERCIM Alain Bensoussan Fellowship Programme 2026
