Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, a six-month programme designed to support promising early-stage businesses from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. The fellowship, delivered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with Imperial College London, combines online learning with intensive in-person experiences to help entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, develop practical scaling strategies, improve their pitching skills, and build international networks.

The programme is aimed at founders whose businesses have moved beyond the idea, prototype, or pilot stage and are already demonstrating genuine market activity. Throughout the fellowship, participants will gain access to training, knowledge, mentorship and a global community of entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on helping businesses grow sustainably and generate positive economic, social, or environmental impact in their communities.

One representative from each selected startup must be able to participate in a two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, currently expected to take place from 25 January to 4 February 2027. Fellows must also attend the final Capstone Week in London, United Kingdom, expected to run from 14 to 21 May 2027. The fellowship itself is scheduled to begin on 16 November 2026.

To qualify, applicants must be at least graduate level and must be citizens of, or have recognised refugee status in, an eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth country. They must also be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country and demonstrate fluency in both written and spoken English. Applicants must not have completed a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the previous five years at the time they take up this award, and they must be available for the full fellowship programme, including both mandatory in-person components.

The startup itself must be legally registered in accordance with the relevant local regulations and must demonstrate genuine innovation through its product, service, business model, or approach to solving a market need. Businesses must have been operating for at least 12 months and must have progressed beyond the idea, prototype and pilot stages. Their products or services should already be available to customers, with evidence of demand demonstrated through paying customers and continued adoption, such as repeat purchases, contract renewals, recurring revenue or sustained usage.

Applicants must also demonstrate that their business has a sustainable commercial model rather than relying primarily on donations, philanthropy or grants. The startup should be generating positive economic, social or environmental outcomes through its core activities and have evidence of commercial traction, growth and potential for further expansion. Businesses should be looking to scale their customer base, operations, impact or geographical reach.

The fellowship is fully funded for the required in-person activities. Selected Fellows will receive approved return travel from their home country to the bootcamp in Accra, with accommodation, travel and catering covered. They will also receive approved return travel to London for Capstone Week, including accommodation, travel and catering. The programme will reimburse the standard visa application fee and provide up to £2,000 in equity-free funding to support eligible business or participation-related costs. Fellows who declare a disability will also receive a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is particularly suited to entrepreneurs who already have a functioning business, paying customers and evidence of growth, but are looking for the skills, networks and resources needed to take their company to the next level.

Eligible countries include 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 and Zambia.

Deadline; September 1, 2026

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