The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme

'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

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.