Strengthening education, health and climate resilience in Small Island Developing States.
Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable countries in the world, facing numerous economic and environmental shocks, youth out-migration and skills shortages in public services, and experiencing disproportionate and deeply damaging effects of climate change.
The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP), inspired by His Majesty King Charles III and his life’s work to create opportunity and to tackle contemporary challenges including climate change and inequality, has been developed in response to these urgent economic, social and environmental development challenges affecting Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
'I am delighted to support this important new initiative. Throughout my life I have believed in the power of education to improve lives and unite communities across the Commonwealth and beyond. There is so much we can learn from one another as we work together within the Commonwealth to tackle the major challenges of our age and, as these Fellowships do in Small Island Developing States, to address them where they are felt most acutely. It is my fervent hope that these new Fellowships will play a significant role in furthering the free exchange of knowledge and advancing the spirit of mutual support that lies at the heart of our Commonwealth - today, tomorrow and towards a brighter future for all.'
His Majesty King Charles III
Head of the Commonwealth and ACU Patron
An ambitious interdisciplinary three-part initiative, KCFP will offer fellowships for mid-career public service professionals, undergraduate scholarships, and PhDs. Delivered together, these three strands will enable sustained short, medium and long-term impact for Commonwealth SIDS and their communities.
Activities included in the programme will take place in-country, with an emphasis on local impact and retaining skills and talent in SIDS regions. The programme aims to strengthen climate resilience, build capacity in education, health and engineering, and develop resilient public services and the skills of those who support them.
Supporting mid-career public service professionals working on the frontline of climate change to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of climate resilience and broader environmental issues. They will acquire practical tools to respond to and build long term resilience against current climate crises with near-immediate effect.
- A one-year course alongside working, via online self-directed but supervised asynchronous learning and ‘book-ended’ by in-person modules, supported by online cohort events.
- Access to a virtual Community of Practice for networking, shared problem-solving and information exchange. It will also offer a repository for knowledge developed through the programme.
Applications are due to open in late 2025.
Addressing significant capacity challenges in key education, healthcare and engineering sectors in SIDS by incentivising participants to remain in country to help meet medium-term skills shortages.
- Recipients will be encouraged to build careers serving their island communities via pre-award, on-award and alumni activities.
- Scholarships will provide full tuition fees and living costs.
- An alumni scheme will support undergraduate scholars post-award and offer opportunities for life-long networking.
Applications are due to open in mid-2026.
Upskilling university academic staff based at SIDS universities and ‘train the trainers’ of future generations of researchers and key workers within sectors is vital to the economies and future well-being, resilience, and prosperity of SIDS, building long-term sustainable capacity in country and meeting local needs and priorities.
- Scholars will study in their home country, alongside working, interspersed with periods of study and/or research methods training at a partner institution elsewhere across the Commonwealth, receiving joint supervision and access to a broad academic network of knowledge and expertise.
- They will have access to training to support continued professional development and learn relevant skills such as communication, engaging with policy makers, public speaking/presenting, applying for research funding.
Applications are due to open in early 2025.
With the generous support of KCFP Founding Member, the Khalili Foundation.
Over the past three decades, the Khalili Foundation has enabled peacebuilding through Art, Culture and Education and has become a global leader in promoting interfaith and intercultural relations. The Foundation has supported and driven a number of internationally recognised projects that use the power of art, culture and education to bring people together and to build harmonious societies.
Commonwealth University Partners
