Call For Applications: Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2026/2027(Fully –

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Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, a six-month program designed to help high-potential startups from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries scale their businesses, attract investment and create jobs.

Delivered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with Imperial College London, the fellowship combines immersive in-person experiences with online learning to equip founders with advanced entrepreneurial skills, global networks and practical strategies for business growth.

By the end of the programme, participants are expected to strengthen their ability to scale their ventures, pitch confidently to investors and expand their economic impact in their home countries.

The fellowship includes a two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, and a week-long Capstone Week in London, United Kingdom. One representative from each selected startup must attend both in-person events.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be at least graduate level.
• Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible low or middle-income Commonwealth country.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be fluent in written and spoken English.
• Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years.
• Be available to begin the fellowship on 16 November 2026.
• Be available to attend the Bootcamp in Accra, Ghana (estimated 25 January – 4 February 2027).
• Be available to attend the Capstone Week in London, UK (estimated 14 – 21 May 2027).

Applicants must also have a startup that:

• Is legally registered in accordance with local regulations.
• Demonstrates innovation through its product, service, business model or approach to solving a market need.
• Has progressed beyond the idea, prototype and pilot stages.
• Has been operating actively for at least 12 months with measurable progress.
• Offers a product or service already available to customers.
• Can demonstrate customer demand through paying customers and continued adoption, such as repeat purchases, recurring revenue or contract renewals.
• Operates on a sustainable business model rather than relying primarily on grants or donations.
• Creates positive economic, social or environmental impact.
• Shows evidence of commercial traction, growth and strong scaling potential.
• Is seeking to expand its customer base, operations, impact or geographic reach.

Eligible Countries

The fellowship is open to applicants from the following Commonwealth countries:

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.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

• Return airfare, accommodation, local travel and meals for the bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
• Return airfare, accommodation, local travel and meals for the Capstone Week in London, United Kingdom.
• Reimbursement of standard visa application fees.
• An equity-free grant of up to £2,000 to support business or participation-related costs.
• Additional financial support for fellows with disabilities, subject to a needs assessment conducted by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

The programme offers founders an opportunity to access world-class entrepreneurship training, mentorship, investor networks and international exposure while accelerating the growth of their businesses.

Interested entrepreneurs can find more details and submit their applications through the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-startup-fellowship-information-for-candidates/.

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