The 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is a transformative six-month programme created to support and scale high-potential startups from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
Sponsored by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and Imperial College London, this Fellowship includes an immersive in-person and online learning experience to empower entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and networks needed to thrive.
If you’re an entrepreneur from any middle-income Commonwealth country interested in building or scaling businesses in your area, the 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship presents an excellent opportunity for you.
Contents
- 1 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Summary
- 2 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Details
- 3 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
- 4 Fellowship Benefits
- 5 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Required Documents
- 6 How to Apply for the 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship(Step by Step)
- 7 Deadline
- 8 Receive the Latest Scholarship Updates through our Social Media Channels:
2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Summary
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Study Abroad: Study in UK
- Host Institution: Commonwealth Scholarships
- Category: Fellowship
- Fellowship Location: Accra, Ghana
- Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
- Programme Duration: 6 Months
- Programme Mode: Hybrid
- Rewards: Accommodation| Travel Expenses |Visa Support| Upkeep |Vaccination Costs | Grant Fund for Businesses
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
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2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Details
The 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is a prestigious programme designed to support 20 early-stage startups from low and middle-income countries to learn and create robust systems required to build and scale their business operations. Fellows will participate in a two-week intensive bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, from 14th to 30th November 2025, where they will gain practical insights, global exposure, and expert mentorship in an engaging, hands-on environment. Each start-up would be represented by one founder or team member.
This program offers an in-person and online training experience, covers fellows’ return travel expenses from their home country to Accra, Ghana, accommodation, visa application fee support, business grants and additional financial support for fellows with disability. Selected Fellows from outstanding startups may be invited to London in early 2026 for high-level events, networking opportunities, and further development.
By the end of the programme, Fellows will be well-positioned to scale their businesses, attract investment, create jobs, and drive meaningful impact in their communities and countries.
Eligible Countries
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
2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, applicants must:
- Be a graduate.
- Applicants must be citizens of, or have received refugee status from, an eligible low or middle-income Commonwealth country.
- Be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Must be fluent in written and spoken English.
- Must not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the past five years (as of the start date of this Fellowship).
- Ensure that you are available to fully participate in the program starting from the official start date.
- Applicant must have at least six months of active development and clear commitment from team members.
- Have a functioning minimum viable product (MVP), prototype or service.
- Strong evidence of market traction, such as early sales, signed contracts, proof of demand, or customer interest.
Note: This programme offers equal opportunity and non-discrimination, including support for applicants with disabilities.
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Fellowship Benefits
This programme covers:
- A return travel ticket from your home country to Accra, Ghana.
- All in-country costs: This includes accommodation, local travel, and meals for the program duration.
- Visa fee reimbursement: covering the cost of a standard visa application.
- Vaccination expense coverage, ensuring participants meet health requirements for travel.
- Access to a Fellow’s Grant Fund: This is to support business development.
- Additional resources would be provided for fellows with disability.
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2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Required Documents
Applicants will need to prepare and submit the following materials as part of their application:
- A completed online application form.
- Educational certificate ( BSc degree or master’s).
- Resume or CV.
- A valid passport.
- Company overview or pitch deck.
- Evidence of customer engagement, such as early sales, signed contracts, letters of intent, or user data.
- Proof of a working minimum viable product (MVP) (product demos, service links, or prototypes).
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How to Apply for the 2025 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship(Step by Step)
- Visit the official website.
- Study the guidelines: Ensure you fully understand the details and structure of the program.
- Ensure to have all required documents.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit your application.
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Deadline
The application deadline for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is 30 June 2025 at 04:00 pm (BST).
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