Applications open for the 2026 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship

Applications are now open for the 2026 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship! This fellowship lasts six months and aims to boost high-potential startups from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries. The program includes a mix of hands-on in-person experiences and online learning, giving participants the vital skills, up-to-date knowledge, and a strong global network they need.

The CSC and Imperial College London hope that by the end of the program, entrepreneurs will be ready to create successful businesses, effectively scale their operations, and generate jobs in their home countries.

They will be selecting a group of 20 early-stage startups. Each business needs to have one person available to join a two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, from November 14 to 30, 2025. Plus, there’s a chance for representatives from exceptional organizations to visit London later in the year for some exciting capstone events.

Each Commonwealth Startup Fellowship provides:

• Approved return travel from the Fellow’s home country to the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
• Accommodation, travel and catering for the duration of the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
• Reimbursement of the standard visa application fee.
• Reimbursement of vaccination costs
• Access to a Fellow’s Grant Fund for business or participation-related costs
• Select participants will be invited to a Capstone in London, UK, where they will have the chance to pitch to investors and industry leaders.
• In addition to the training and mentorship, participating teams can apply for financial support from the Fellows Fund, a pot of £35,000 in equity free grants. This funding is available to cover business related costs to help you develop and grow your startup.

ELIGIBILITY – Commonwealth Startup Fellowship

• Be of at least graduate level;
• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible low or middle income Commonwealth country;
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country;
• Be fluent in written and spoken English.
• Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years (at the time of taking up the award)
• Be available to undertake their fellowship from the prescribed start date

In addition, they must demonstrate:

• Evidence of innovation, in terms of product, service, or market
• Active development for at least six-months and demonstrable commitment from team members
• A working minimum viable ‘product’, service and/or prototype
• Significant evidence of customer engagement or traction in the form of early sales or pre-sales . proof of interest or demand, signed contracts or other relevant evidence.

Application Timeline – Commonwealth Startup Fellowship

• 2 June 2025 – Applications Open
• 30 June 2025 – Application Deadline
• 15 November – 29 November 2025 – In-person Bootcamp in Accra, Ghana
• 30 November 2025 – 15 May 2026 – Online Programming
• May 2026 – In person Capstone event in London, UK

Application – Commonwealth Startup Fellowship

• For details Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 
• Deadline: 30th June, 2025