In a major step towards supporting education and capacity building across the globe’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment through education. Beginning in 2026, up to 40 prestigious fully funded Master’s scholarships will be available to talented students from SIDS under two highly respected UK government-backed schemes — the Chevening SIDS Scholarships and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) SIDS Scholarships.
This new opportunity was announced following the UK’s pledge at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, with the aim of promoting sustainable development, leadership, and strategic capacity in island nations that are often disproportionately affected by climate change and economic vulnerability.
What’s on Offer?
These scholarships will allow citizens of eligible SIDS countries to pursue a one-year fully funded Master’s degree at any UK university of their choice. The programmes are designed to provide much more than academic learning — offering leadership training, global networking, and exclusive enrichment events tailored for scholars from SIDS.
Benefits for All SIDS Scholars:
- Full coverage of tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Travel costs to and from the UK
- Access to exclusive events, workshops, and networking opportunities
- Post-graduation access to global alumni networks and alumni programme funding
- Opportunities to contribute to UK-SIDS initiatives post-study
1# Chevening SIDS Scholarships
Administered under the globally renowned Chevening programme, these scholarships are open to outstanding individuals with leadership potential from 25 SIDS countries. Applicants must apply via the standard Chevening application portal, and simply tick the box indicating interest in being considered for the Chevening SIDS option. The highest-ranking applicant(s) from each eligible country will be considered.
Participating Countries Include: Trinidad and Tobago, Nauru, Maldives, Guyana, Tuvalu, Antigua and Barbuda, Kiribati, Seychelles, Barbados, St Lucia, Fiji, Belize, Singapore, Samoa, Mauritius, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Tonga, St Kitts and Nevis, Papua New Guinea, Bahamas, Solomon Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, and Vanuatu.
Enhanced UK Programme Experience: Chevening SIDS scholars will gain access to a specialized UK programme of exclusive events, including:
- A high-profile welcome event at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
- Targeted networking opportunities with fellow SIDS scholars and global policy influencers
- Invitations to UK-SIDS themed events and workshops
- Access to the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund for project support post-study
Opting into the Chevening SIDS track does not reduce your chances of being selected for the standard Chevening Scholarship — instead, it opens doors to a programme tailored for SIDS candidates.
2# Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) SIDS Scholarships
Alongside Chevening, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is offering 20 guaranteed Master’s scholarships for SIDS applicants under the same UK initiative. Applications will follow the standard CSC application process, which involves nomination by national agencies.
For example, in the Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) will serve as the nominating body.
Eligible CSC SIDS Countries Include: Nauru, Fiji, Saint Lucia, Maldives, Tuvalu, Grenada, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Samoa, Belize, Papua New Guinea, Dominica, Tonga, Montserrat, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, and Mauritius.
The CSC SIDS scholarships will also include tailored enrichment opportunities to enhance leadership capacity and strategic knowledge in key development areas.
Priority Fields of Study
To support national development goals and bridge skill gaps, applicants are strongly encouraged to pursue Master’s degrees aligned with the following themes:
- Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
- Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth
- Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Democratic Governance
- Peacebuilding and Resilient Societies
These fields reflect the most urgent developmental priorities facing SIDS communities and will enable scholars to return home with the tools to effect meaningful change.
Application Timelines
Eligible candidates should prepare in advance to meet the following deadlines:
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Chevening SIDS Scholarships: Applications will open in August 2025 and close in October 2025.
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Commonwealth SIDS Scholarships (CSC): Applications will open in September 2025 and close in October 2025.
Each programme has a distinct application process. Applicants must follow the appropriate procedure depending on the scholarship they wish to apply for, or choose to apply for both to maximize their chances.
Apply: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/master-scholarships-to-be-available-under-csc-chevening-sids.
