Home SCHOLARSHIP Fully Funded: Commonwealth Startup Fellowship In UK 2026 Deadline: 30-06-2025

SCHOLARSHIP

Fully Funded: Commonwealth Startup Fellowship In UK 2026 Deadline: 30-06-2025

June 7, 2025

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Are you an ambitious entrepreneur from a low- or middle-income Commonwealth country? The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship (CSF) is your chance to elevate your startup with world-class support, mentorship, and global exposure.

🚀 Programme Overview

The CSF is a six-month hybrid fellowship designed to empower early-stage startups with:

In-person and online training
Tailored business coaching
Access to a global network of experts and investors

Delivered in partnership with Imperial College London Enterprise Lab, the programme supports 40 startups across two cohorts.

📅 Key Dates

Applications Open: 2 June 2025
Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
Cohort 2 Start Date: November 2025
Info Session: Tuesday, 3 June 2025 – Register here

🧭 Programme Stages

Bootcamp in Accra, Ghana – Fully funded, hands-on training to refine your business.
5 Months Online Learning & Coaching – Personalized mentorship and monthly venture reviews.
Capstone Week in London – Fully funded investor event and networking opportunities.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

All travel, accommodation, and participation costs are fully funded
Return flights to Accra and London
Visa fee reimbursement and vaccination costs
Accommodation, local transport, and meals during in-person events
Access to world-class mentors and industry experts
Exposure to international investors and potential partners

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be a graduate and fluent in English
Be a citizen or refugee in an eligible Commonwealth country
Be permanently resident in that country
Not have held a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the past 5 years
Be available from the programme start date

💡 What We’re Looking For

Innovative product, service, or market approach
At least 6 months of active development
A working MVP or prototype
Evidence of customer engagement or early traction

🌐 Eligible Countries

Some of the eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries include:

Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Gambia, Uganda, Zambia and many more Commonwealth countries

Applications for Cohort Two open on 2 June 2025 and close on 30 June 2025 (BST). An information session will be held on 3 June 2025 at 11:00 BST.

For more information

Key Dates

- Information Session: 3 June 2025, 11:00 AM BST
- Applications Open: 2 June 2025, 10:00 AM BST
- Applications Close: 30 June 2025, 4:00 PM BST
- Bootcamp in Accra: 14–30 November 2025