The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) launches the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) pathway for undergraduates.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has opened applications for the King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) Undergraduate Fellowships, offering fully funded undergraduate study for students from Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in subjects that support climate resilience and sustainable development.
The KCFP is 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. It has been developed in response to the urgent economic, social and environmental development challenges affecting SIDS.
Applications for the 11 fellowships are open to citizens from the following 24 eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States who are due to begin undergraduate study between January and December 2027 in an eligible programme:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The KCFP Undergraduate Fellowships aim to address significant skills shortages in key sectors across Commonwealth SIDS. They support talented individuals to pursue higher education and develop the expertise needed to strengthen their communities and respond to the wider climate challenges faced by Commonwealth SIDS.
The Undergraduate Fellowships will support students undertaking full-time study in subject areas that are vital to the future prosperity and climate resilience of Commonwealth SIDS. These include:
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Education
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Engineering
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Health
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Sustainable Tourism
Professor Colin Riordan, ACU Secretary General and Chief Executive, comments:
"Small Island Developing States are on the frontline of climate change. Through the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Undergraduate Fellowships, we are investing in the next generation of professionals who will help their communities adapt to environmental challenges, strengthen essential services and drive sustainable development.
By supporting students to study close to home and build careers in disciplines that are critical to climate resilience and national development, the programme will strengthen local capacity and create opportunities for young people to contribute to the long-term prosperity and resilience of their communities."
Applications open on 14 September 2026 and close on 14 October 2026, and students from eligible Commonwealth SIDS who are due to begin undergraduate study in 2027 are encouraged to apply.
Further information, including eligibility requirements, application guidance and details of eligible courses and host institutions, is available on KCFP Undergraduate Fellowships webpage.