Know more abut the Commonwealth Scholarship
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) was established in 1959. Since then, it has grown to be one of the most prestigious international study and professional development schemes in the world.
The CSFP was conceived as a system of awards to individuals from all Commonwealth countries for their high intellectual promise. They are also required to have the capacity and willingness to contribute significantly to the development of their homeland. Commonwealth scholarships have been held by more than 21,000 Commonwealth citizens.
CSPF is a genuine partnership between developed and developing countries. Both the home and the host country are involved in the selection process for the Commonwealth Scholarship program. The Commonwealth scholarship awards combine academic excellence with the desire to contribute effectively to the development of some of the poorest countries in the world. The Commonwealth scholarship is the only scholarship scheme that is reviewed by an international gathering of educational ministers. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom was set up under the Commonwealth Scholarship Act, 1959. The Commission is responsible for the UK’s participation in the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. The funds for the awards tenable in the United Kingdom are provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, providing an annual budget of around 2 million euros for supporting scholars from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Department for International Development provides an annual budget of 10 million euros for supporting award holders from the rest of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission also administers Academic Staff Scholarships, Commonwealth Academic Fellowships, Split-Site Doctoral Scholarships, Scholarships by Distance Learning, Professional Fellowships, and the DFID Shared Scholarship Scheme.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities
The Association of Commonwealth Universities is a global network of universities in the Commonwealth countries. It is a storehouse of great human and scientific resources. Over 480 universities from the Commonwealth countries of Africa and Asia, Australia and New Zealand, countries of the South Pacific and the Caribbean, UK, Canada, Cyprus, and Malta are members of the Association. These universities meet voluntarily for building on historical links, shared traditions, and common purposes for furthering international cooperation.
The United Kingdom has received the largest number of scholars since the inception of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. Though the arrival of scholars is coordinated by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, scholars are elected by ACU representatives in their home countries.
Applying for the Commonwealth Scholarship
If you are thinking about applying for a Commonwealth scholarship, check out first if the awards are available in the country you wish to study in. If they are, find out from the terms and conditions whether you are eligible for the Commonwealth scholarship program. You can also contact your national agency by telephone or email. If you are eligible, check out whether the awards are offered to the citizens of your country.
Many host nations offer scholarships only to a limited number of foreign countries. Once you have confirmed that the Commonwealth scholarships are available to your countrymen, you can start researching on the university where your award will be held. All these tasks can be completed online.
