Our development impact
The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to become catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond. Find out how Commonwealth Alumni are making an impact within their organisations and communities, and across nations and internationally, in our series of Development Impact Stories.
CSC development themes
The CSC is driven forward by international development objectives. As part of their application, Commonwealth Scholars select at least 3 UN Sustainable Development Goals that they aim to impact post-award and scholarships are offered across six key development themes:

Science and technology for development

Strengthening health systems and capacity

Promoting global prosperity

Strengthening global peace, security and governance

Strengthening resilience and response to crises

Access, inclusion and opportunity







Strengthening health systems and capacity
Science and technology for development
Access, inclusion and opportunity
Strengthening resilience and response to crises
Strengthening global peace, security and governance
Promoting global prosperity
Levels of impact reported by Commonwealth Alumni. (Source: 2021 Longitudinal Alumni Survey)
Development impact stories
The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to become catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. Since 2018, the CSC has supported 72 disabled Scholars from 15 countries. Find out how Commonwealth Alumni are making an impact within their organisations and communities, and across nations and internationally, in our series of Development Impact Stories.
Time Limited Programmes
Since 2018, the CSC has been running unique Time Limited Programmes (TLPs) which sit outside of our main programmes and allow us to respond flexibly to current political or environmental challenges affecting the Commonwealth. These projects run for a one-year period and include a series of activities responding to a specific priority area.
- Institutional 87%
- Local 82%
- National 56%
- International 39%
Levels of impact reported by Commonwealth Alumni. (Source: 2021 Longitudinal Alumni Survey)
Evaluating impact
The CSC’s Evaluation and Monitoring programme identifies the outcomes and impact of Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships on individuals, on institutions, and more widely on communities and societies.