UK Government Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2025 (Fully Funded)

Description

Are you a startup founder from a low or middle-income Commonwealth country? Looking for global exposure, expert mentorship, and access to capital and networks? The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2025, hosted by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with Imperial College London, is your gateway to scale your innovation and drive impact in your home country.

This six-month hybrid program combines online learning with immersive in-person experiences, including a fully funded bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, and potential capstone events in London, UK.

Fellowship Overview

The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is designed to support high-potential early-stage startups from across the Commonwealth. The goal is to provide participants with essential business skills, global mentorship, and opportunities to expand their ventures and create jobs in their communities.

Key Features:

1. Duration: 6 months (online and in-person)
2. 20 startups selected per cohort
3. Fully funded 2-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana (14–30 November 2025)
4. Potential travel to London for capstone events
5. Access to expert coaching, global networks, and business development resources

Degree Level

UK Government Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2025 (Fully Funded) is available to undertake Fellowship level programs at UK Universities.

Available Subjects

Following subject are available to study under this scholarship program.

Benefits

Selected fellows will receive comprehensive financial support, including:

1. Return travel to and from Accra, Ghana
2. Accommodation, meals, and transport during the bootcamp
3. Visa and vaccination cost reimbursement
4. Access to a Fellow’s Grant Fund for startup-related expenses
5. Disability-specific financial support, if applicable

Eligible Nationalities

This scholarship is open to international students from 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 and The Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

1. Be a citizen or refugee of a low or middle-income Commonwealth country
2. Be permanently resident in that country
3. Hold at least a graduate-level qualification
4. Be fluent in English (spoken and written)
5. Not have held a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the last five years
6. Be available for the bootcamp in Ghana

Startups must demonstrate:

1. Minimum 6 months of active development
2. A working MVP (minimum viable product)
3. Strong signs of customer engagement (early sales, contracts, user signups, etc.)
4. A distinct innovation in product, service, or market

The program actively supports diversity and encourages applications from underrepresented communities. Candidates with disabilities are also eligible for additional financial and accessibility support.

Application Procedure

Application Timeline

1. Application Opens: 2 June 2025, 10:00am (BST)
2. Deadline to Apply: 30 June 2025, 4:00pm (BST)
3. Information Session: 3 June 2025, 11:00am (BST)

How to Apply – Application Requirements

Applicants must complete the online application form, which includes:

1. Academic qualifications and employment history
2. Business registration details and founder role
3. Evidence of startup traction (signups, revenue, user data)
4. Research on competitors and IP protection status
5. A 1-minute elevator pitch video
6. Detailed answers (150–250 words each) covering:
7. Problem and solution
8. Innovation and impact
9. Team qualifications and commitment
10. Goals and motivation for joining
11. A scan of passport or national identity card
12. Names and contact information for 3 referees (1 must be a current/former employer)

General Conditions and Code of Conduct

All selected fellows must:

1. Adhere to the CSC code of conduct and disciplinary policy
2. Participate actively in the program
3. Maintain high ethical standards and represent their home countries positively
4. Submit a final report on how the fellowship contributed to their startup journey

Note: Former UK government or Commonwealth staff are not eligible unless they left their role three years prior.

Why Apply for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship?

This fellowship is more than just business training — it’s a launchpad for entrepreneurs ready to scale impactful ideas globally. You’ll join a cohort of talented changemakers, gain credibility, and be mentored by some of the world’s top academic and industry experts through Imperial College London and other partners.

Benefits Summary:

1. World-class training
2. Global exposure
3. Financial support
4. Networking with founders, investors, and policymakers
5. A chance to pitch on a global stage

Apply Now and Change the Future

Applications open on 2 June 2025. Don’t miss this chance to take your startup to the next level with one of the most prestigious fellowships in the Commonwealth.

For more details, visit the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Website or attend the information session on 3 June 2025.