CSFP | ACU

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is a unique international framework through which Commonwealth countries offer university scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other member nations, forging lasting links across the Commonwealth and creating valuable opportunities for cultural and academic exchange.

Since its founding in 1959, the CSFP has created life-changing educational opportunities for more than 38,000 individuals. Many have gone on to transform their communities, societies, and nations, helping to create a fairer, safer, healthier, and more connected Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Scholarships are funded in two ways:

By individual governments and universities, for study within those countries or institutions
By the CSFP endowment fund – a central fund owned by and for Commonwealth governments that supports Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for students from all over the Commonwealth to study at universities in low and middle income countries

Scholarships funded by national governments and universities

The following countries currently offer Commonwealth Scholarships:

Background

Established by Commonwealth education ministers at their first conference in 1959, Commonwealth Scholarships have become one of the world’s most prestigious and best-known international scholarship schemes. More than 38,000 individuals have been funded to date, many of whom have gone on to transform their communities, societies, and nations.

The CSFP is reviewed at the Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM), held every three years. The most recent report was presented to minsters at 21CCEM and covers activities from 2018-2022. The full list of reports can be found below: 

Scholarships funded by the CSFP endowment fund (Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships)

Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships enable students from across the Commonwealth to study for a two-year Master’s degree in low or middle-income country of the Commonwealth.

Aimed at students who are committed to creating change in their communities, the scholarships are a life-changing opportunity to experience a new country and culture, to broaden horizons, and to build a global network that will last a lifetime.

The CSFP endowment fund, which supports these unique scholarships, was established by education ministers on the 50th anniversary of the CSFP in 2009. The fund, which is managed by the ACU, has been supported by 14 Commonwealth governments to date. The Duke of Sussex announced the renaming and expansion of the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships scheme, in recognition of Her Majesty’s service to the Commonwealth and its youth, in 2018.

Find out more about QECS