Scholarship Summary:
Funding: Fully Funded
Host Entity: Offered by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Level: Bootcamp, Fellowship
Subjects to study: All Subjects
Eligible students: International Students
Host Country: UK
Application Deadline: 09 Feb2025
Description
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2025, organized by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in collaboration with Imperial College London, is a six-month program designed to support graduate-level entrepreneurs from Bangladesh, Nigeria, India, Ghana, South Africa, and
other eligible Commonwealth countries. This fellowship provides financial benefits such as return travel to Ghana, accommodation, catering, visa reimbursement, vaccination cost reimbursement, and access to a grant fund for business-related expenses. Applications are open until 9 February 2025, with the first deadline on 15 January 2025. This initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs with innovative startups to scale operations, create jobs, and drive economic development in their home countries.
Degree Level
The degree level required for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is graduate level or higher. Applicants must have completed at least an undergraduate degree to be eligible.
Benefits
What the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Offers
Immersive Bootcamps:
- A two-week intensive in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, scheduled for March 2025.
- Potential for top-performing entrepreneurs to attend capstone events in London, UK, later in the year.
Comprehensive Support:
- Return travel expenses to Accra, Ghana.
- Accommodation, meals, and travel arrangements during the bootcamp.
- Reimbursement of visa application fees and vaccination costs.
- Access to the Fellow’s Grant Fund to support business-related expenses.
Customized Disability Support:
Individual assessments to ensure accessibility and financial support for Fellows with disabilities, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusivity.
Eligible Nationalities
International Students from the following countries can apply for this scholarship:
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, Zambia
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, applicants must:
- Be a graduate or higher.
- Hold citizenship or refugee status in an eligible low or middle-income Commonwealth country.
- Reside permanently in one of the eligible countries.
- Be fluent in written and spoken English.
- Show evidence of innovation through products, services, or market solutions.
- Demonstrate at least six months of startup development, a working prototype, and customer engagement through early sales, contracts, or demand indicators.
Application Procedure
Key Dates
- 15 January 2025: First Application Deadline
- 9 February 2025: Final Application Deadline
Application Process
Applicants must provide:
- Academic and employment details.
- Startup progress, including achievements, user metrics, revenue, and prototypes.
- A one-minute video elevator pitch.
- A detailed business overview, covering market research, competition, intellectual property (IP), and innovative solutions.
- A personal motivation statement and explanation of how the fellowship will contribute to their goals.
- Applications are now open. Apply today to join a cohort of 20 dynamic startups and transform your entrepreneurial vision into reality.
Why Choose the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship?
The fellowship provides unparalleled opportunities to:
- Gain access to world-class training and mentorship.
- Build a robust global network of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.
- Scale operations, drive job creation, and foster economic growth in your home country.
- Don’t miss out on the opportunity to elevate your business. Visit the official Commonwealth Startup Fellowship page to learn more and submit your application.
