Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships Committee (CSC) – Masters and PhDs CSC

Applications open 8th September 2026 – close 20th October 2026, 16.00 BST.

To be considered by Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) you must apply in addition and separately to be considered by 8th September to 14th November 4pm GMT.

CDPF can nominate 10 candidates for Master’s and 5 for PhD (see below). This is highly competitive. CDPF only nominate CSC decide.

Please circulate in your country if on list at bottom of this letter, to disabled people with a good first degree (2.1) for Masters and a Masters level for PhD scholarships. Closing date to CSC by 20th October 2026. Please make sure you meet all selection criteria with all necessary attachments when you apply. Check these on the https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

The Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) is a nominating partner of Commonwealth Scholarships. You must complete your application to Commonwealth Scholarships Committee by 16.00 GMT on 20th October 2026.

If you are a disabled person and you want to apply you must register with CDPF by 20th October 2026 by sending an email to martha.aldridge@commonwealthdpf.org and a copy to richard.rieser@commonwealthdpf.org demonstrating you are disabled and have the requisite qualifications to apply.

If you want CDPF to consider nominating you as a disabled candidate you must submit the following to CDPF by 14th November 2026 (16.00 GMT). By sending an email to martha.aldridge@commonwealthdpf.org and a copy to richard.rieser@commonwealthdpf.org


Application to CDPF will consist of:

  • Your full name, country, email and telephone number, gender, date of birth.
  • A copy of your completed application to CSC and attachments submitted by 20th October 2026. You need to take a copy before you submit this. (See https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/ for an explanation of how to do this).
  • Demonstrating the nature of your impairment and the reasonable accommodations you require and your understanding of the concept of reasonable accommodation. Up to 100 words with supporting documentation.
  • Up to 250 words on your contribution to disabled people’s rights to date.
  • Up to 250 words to demonstrate how your studies will lead to improvement in the position of disabled people in your country.

If you are disabled also read CSC disability support statement before applying.

Eligible countries

For Master’s candidates from: Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, 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, The Gambia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Applications from following SIDS are particularly welcome Belize, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Mauritius, Monserrat, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu See https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/commonwealth-scholars-from-small-island-developing-states-selected-for-2026-27-masters-scholarships/

Masters candidates need: 2 references + university transcript showing a 2.1 degree.

PhDs candidates need: 2-3 references, a separate UK supervisor statement + university transcripts – undergrad and masters.

Eligibility Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia only.

All potential applicants must apply to the CSC by 20th October 2026 (16.00GMT) with the required attachments. Especially important is a research proposal and a UK university supervisors statement. Take a copy before sending to send to CDPF.
CDPF experience is that PhD candidates without a supervisor at a UK University, which means having applied and being accepted to study for a PhD, will not be successful. Before applying read https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-phd-scholarships-for-least-developed-countries-and-vulnerable-states/

If you want CDPF to consider nominating you as a disabled candidate you must submit the following to CDPF by 14th November 2026 (16.00 GMT). By sending an email to martha.aldridge@commonwealthdpf.org and a copy to richard.rieser@commonwealthdpf.org 
Application to CDPF will consist of

  • Your full name, country, email and telephone number, gender, date of birth.
  • A copy of your completed application to CSC and attachments submitted by 20th October 2022. You need to take a copy before you submit this. (See https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/ for an explanation of how to do this).
    • Demonstrating the nature of your impairment,
    • the reasonable accommodations you require and
    • your understanding of the concept of reasonable accommodation. Up to 200 words with supporting documentation.
  • Up to 250 words on your contribution to disabled people’s rights to date.
  • Up to 250 words to demonstrate how research will lead to improvement in the position of disabled people in your country.
  • Relevant publications
  • Up to 250 words on what you hope to do Post Doctoral to enhance position of disabled People.

If you are disabled also read CSC disability support statement before applying.

CDPF operates a policy of gender balance in choosing applicants to nominate.