Deadline: 18 December 2019
Applications are now open for Commonwealth shared Scholarships to enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development.
The purpose of CSS is to contribute development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics and to contribute to UK higher education and foreign policy aims by encouraging collaboration and links.
The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. They are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.
Thematic Areas
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are offered under six themes:
- Science and technology for development
- The scholarship, which may be in any area of science or technology (including, for example, agriculture, veterinary science, or forestry), will develop knowledge and/or skills that are directly related to the specific needs of a low or lower middle income country. Where possible, applications should cite expressed national or local priorities.
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will improve health provision or outcomes for disadvantaged groups in low and lower middle income countries. A range of approaches could be adopted, such as training staff to fill critical shortage areas; establishing better systems, processes, or management; health promotion and improving understanding of non-take up; or developing new treatments.
- Promoting global prosperity
- The scholarship will support economic prosperity in low and lower middle income countries. The knowledge and/or skills gained could lead to, for example, enhanced trade capacity; improved economic understanding or decision-making by business or government; new products and services; or long-term capacity building, through the development of entrepreneurial skills, for instance.
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will strengthen peace and security at national, regional, or international levels. Multiple approaches could be used, such as strengthening open and transparent governance; improving mutual understanding within and between societies; or building systems that reduce the potential for conflict or encourage its resolution.
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
- The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills which will help low and middle countries adapt to changing contexts, withstand sudden shocks, or increase capacity to preserve the continuity of operations following such events. This could apply to a broad range of threats, including natural and physical disasters; long-term threats such as climate change; interruptions to the supply of key resources; or sudden economic or technological disruption.
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
- The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will promote opportunity amongst historically disadvantaged groups in low and lower middle income countries. This could be through, for example, expanding educational opportunities; conducting community outreach; enhancing access to decision making; or increasing understanding of the barriers faced. A range of disadvantage can be addressed including social, economic, gender, ethnic, regional, or political – provided that the need is clearly stated.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for these scholarships, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person;
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country;
- Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/ October 2020;
- By September 2020, hold a first degree of at least upper second class standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. If applicants are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, they will need to provide justification as to why they wish to undertake this study;
- Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high income country;
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
Selection Criteria
Each participating UK University will conduct its own recruitment process to select a specified number of candidates to be awarded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. Universities must put forward their selected candidates to the CSC in March 2020. The CSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the eligibility criteria for this scheme. Universities will inform candidates of their results by July 2020.
Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:
- Academic merit of the candidate;
- Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply online via given website.
Eligible Countries: Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia.
For more information, please visit http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/shared-scholarships/#linkage3
