King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme PhDs (KCFP-PhDs) 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- Mar 14
- 3 min read
If you're an academic or professional from a Commonwealth Small Island Developing State (SIDS) aiming to advance your expertise in climate change, education, engineering, or health, the King's Commonwealth PhD Fellowship Programme 2025 offers a unique opportunity to pursue a PhD while continuing your professional work. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity!
King's Commonwealth PhD Fellowship Summary
Location: Home country (SIDS) with research visits to partner universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.
Host Institution: Home country's university (ACU SIDS member) with joint supervision from a partner university.
Study Level: PhD.
Target Group: Academic staff and professionals from Commonwealth SIDS.
Fields of Study: Climate change , environment, education, engineering, and health.
Award Value: GBP 30,000 over six years (GBP 5,000 per year) for research and research visits + tuition fees waiver and other allowances (See below)
Award Duration: Six years.
Application Deadline: April 25, 2025, 13:00 UTC.
Start Date: 2025/26 academic year.
Eligible To: Citizens or individuals with refugee status in Commonwealth SIDS.
Fellowship Overview
The King's Commonwealth PhD Fellowship Programme is designed to strengthen education, health, and climate resilience in SIDS by supporting academic staff and professionals to undertake PhD studies in their home countries. Fellows will receive joint supervision from a dedicated partner university elsewhere in the Commonwealth, attending periods of study and research methods training.
Partner Universities
Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program at an Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) member institution in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). Here are some eligible universities:
Fiji:
Fiji National University
The University of Fiji
The University of the South Pacific
Papua New Guinea:
Divine Word University
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
University of Papua New Guinea
Mauritius:
Open University of Mauritius
University of Mauritius
University of Technology Mauritius
Additionally, joint supervision will be provided by a partner university in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. Some of these partner universities include:
United Kingdom:
University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow
King's College London
University of Southampton
University of the West of Scotland
Heriot Watt University
University of Bristol
University of Oxford (Kellogg College, UK)
Australia:
Macquarie University
University of New South Wales
Griffith University
University of Sydney
Murdoch University
Canada:
Western University
New Zealand:
University of Canterbury
Lincoln University
This collaborative approach ensures that fellows receive comprehensive support and resources throughout their doctoral journey.
Fellowship Benefits:
Financial Support: Total funding of GBP 30,000 over six years to support research activities and visits to partner universities.
Fee Waivers: International tuition fees waived during visiting periods at partner universities.
Research Support: Additional GBP 12,000 over six years for research-related expenses.
Professional Development: Access to training in communication, policy engagement, entrepreneurship, public speaking, and research funding applications.
Supervision: Joint supervision by experts from both home and partner universities, ensuring comprehensive academic guidance.
Employer Incentive: 20% salary contribution to the fellow's employer over the six-year duration, supporting workplace integration.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualifications: Applicants must hold a Master's degree or have equivalent experience.
PhD Enrollment: Candidates should be due to commence or already enrolled in a PhD program at an ACU SIDS member university in the 2025/26 academic year.
Research Focus: The proposed PhD research must align with one of the four KCFP research areas: climate change/environment, education, engineering, or health.
Residency: Applicants must be citizens or have refugee status in a Commonwealth SIDS.
Application Procedure
Prepare Documents: Gather academic transcripts, proof of citizenship or refugee status, a detailed research proposal, and letters of support from both home and potential partner university supervisors.
Online Application: Complete and submit the online application form through the ACU's application portal by 13:00 UTC on April 25, 2025.
Review Guidelines: Carefully read the application guidance and FAQs provided on the ACU website before submission.
Documents Required:
Academic transcripts and certificates.
Proof of citizenship or refugee status in a Commonwealth SIDS.
Detailed research proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
Letters of support from supervisors at both the home university and the proposed partner university.
Additional Information:
The fellowship emphasizes retaining skills and talent within SIDS regions, aiming to build long-term sustainable capacity to meet local needs and priorities. Applicants from indigenous communities are especially encouraged to apply, although this is not an eligibility requirement.
🗓️ Application Deadline: April 25, 2025
ℹ️ For more details and to apply, visit the official ACU website. Also, read all of the application guidance and FAQs pages carefully before starting their application.
🔗 OFFICIAL WEBSITE
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