The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan (CSFP) is a system of awards to men and women from all Commonwealth countries. Successful applicants are chosen for their high intellectual promise and their capacity to return to make a significant contribution to life in their own countries. It provides a network of study opportunities throughout the Commonwealth.

Over 25,000 Commonwealth citizens have held awards - many going on to reach the very highest levels of their profession. The majority of awards go to postgraduate students.

One of its guiding principles is that it be based upon mutual cooperation and the sharing of educational experience among all countries of the Commonwealth.

Funds come from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development (DFID). Both CSFP and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission - the body responsible for the UK's participation in the CSFP - were set up in 1959.