By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Education Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

Applications for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) PhD pathway are now open, providing an opportunity for individuals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to pursue advanced academic and professional development in critical fields such as climate change, education, engineering, health, and sustainability.

The fellowships are designed for professionals and academic staff who are eager to undertake a PhD alongside their professional work in their home country, with the ultimate goal of addressing pressing challenges faced by their communities.

The programme aims to equip talented individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive positive change and innovation in their regions.

The KCFP PhD Fellowships are open to individuals from Commonwealth SIDS who hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification. The selected fellows will pursue their PhD in one of the following key areas: climate change/environment, education, engineering, or health. 

Fellows will receive joint supervision from a dedicated partner university based in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, ensuring an international collaborative approach to research. They will also attend research methods training and study periods at the partner institution.

Each fellow will receive £30,000 over six years (£5,000 annually) to support their research and attendance at research visits to the partner university. Additional benefits include a £12,000 research support grant (£2,000 per year), access to resources such as the partner university’s library and databases, and a waiver of international tuition fees where applicable. 

Furthermore, fellows will benefit from a 20 percent salary contribution from their employer, which will support their professional development and research activities.

In addition to academic support, fellows will gain access to the King’s Fellows cohort, a community designed to foster continued professional development. Fellows will receive training in key skills, such as communication, public speaking, policy engagement, entrepreneurship, and applying for research funding.

Interested candidates can find more on the ACU website: www.acu.ac.uk/kcfp-phds.