The Commonwealth Foundation Grants 2026–27 are now open for applications, offering funding opportunities to eligible civil society organisations, networks, coalitions, alliances and creative collectives across eligible Commonwealth countries.

The annual grants programme supports projects that aim to create meaningful social, cultural and political change through constructive engagement with governments and other decision-makers or through creative advocacy.

For the 2026–27 funding cycle, the Commonwealth Foundation is offering two grant streams, with funding of up to £30,000 per year for individual organisations and up to £20,000 per year for collective action initiatives. Grants can be awarded for a maximum of two years.

Commonwealth Foundation Grants 2026–27

The Commonwealth Foundation has introduced an expanded funding approach under its new strategic plan, creating opportunities not only for individual civil society organisations but also for networks and collective groups working together.

1. Individual Organisation Grants

This funding stream is designed for eligible not-for-profit civil society organisations, including creative organisations, implementing standalone projects.

Successful applicants can request between £15,000 and £30,000 per year for up to two years.

Applicants generally need to be registered and operating as a not-for-profit organisation for at least three years and demonstrate relevant experience connected to the proposed project and the Foundation’s strategic impact areas.

2. Collective Action Grants

The new Collective Action Grants support networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms and creative collectives working together to strengthen participation and collective action.

Funding is available between £15,000 and £20,000 per year for up to two years. An unregistered collective can apply through an eligible registered member organisation acting as the lead applicant.

Funding Priorities

Proposed projects must address at least one of the Commonwealth Foundation’s three strategic priorities:

• Climate and environmental justice
• Economic inclusion
• Freedom of expression

The Foundation also requires applicants to demonstrate how gender and intersectionality have been considered and integrated into project design and implementation.

Creative advocacy is also welcomed, particularly where creative practices are used to influence public discussion, policy, behaviour or decision-making.

Who Can Apply?

The Commonwealth Foundation Grants are intended for eligible not-for-profit civil society organisations and collective groups in eligible Commonwealth member countries.

Eligible countries in Asia include Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The current eligible-country list does not include Nepal.

For Individual Organisation Grants, organisations generally need at least three years of relevant experience, while Collective Action Grant applicants must meet the applicable experience and eligibility requirements.

The organisation’s average annual income over the previous two years must also be below £2.5 million, and the requested grant cannot exceed 70% of the applicable average annual income.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Commonwealth Foundation Annual Grants 2026–27 opened on 23 September 2026.

The application deadline is:

26 October 2026 at 1:00 PM GMT

Applications must be submitted online through the Commonwealth Foundation’s grant application system. Projects funded through this call are expected to begin between 1 August 2027 and 30 September 2027.

How to Apply for Commonwealth Foundation Grants

Interested applicants should first carefully review the eligibility requirements and confirm that their organisation or collective is eligible.

Applicants then need to register or log in to the online application platform, complete the application form and submit the required supporting documents, including a logic model, registration documentation and governance information.

This is a competitive international funding opportunity, so applicants should ensure that their proposed project clearly identifies the problem being addressed, explains the proposed solution and demonstrates meaningful engagement with the communities that will benefit from the project.

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