Cambridge Commonwealth Trust
About This Funder
The Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust (formerly Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, merged in 2013 with Cambridge Overseas and European Trusts) was established in the 1980s by the University of Cambridge to provide scholarships enabling outstanding students from around the world, particularly the Commonwealth and developing nations, to study there regardless of socioeconomic background. Its mission centers on promoting academic excellence, financial need, and global diversity in Cambridge's student body, with values of merit-based access, inclusion, and societal impact upheld by a board of university leaders and King Charles III as Patron. As the largest funder of international students at Cambridge—having awarded over 22,000 scholarships from 149 countries—it coordinates full-cost and part-cost awards for postgraduate (primarily PhD and Masters) and limited undergraduate programs across all subjects and colleges, often via partnerships like the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission or field-specific schemes such as the David and Susan Hibbitt Scholarship for Engineering.
Funding exclusively supports individual students already admitted to Cambridge courses (excluding most professional degrees like MBA), prioritizing academic merit and need with global reach emphasizing non-UK citizens from China, India, the US, and emerging economies. No organizational or charitable applicants are accepted; eligibility requires completing the funding section in the university's online admissions portal, with automatic consideration for most awards.
Typical grants range from £10,000 partial contributions to full coverage of tuition, college fees, maintenance (£18,000–£19,000 annually), and sometimes travel. Applications align with Cambridge deadlines—2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 for 2026/27 entry (some earlier)—with annual decisions from March to July. Distinctively, it avoids project, capital, or non-Cambridge funding, instead leveraging philanthropy, transparent reviews every five years, and strategic co-funding to fill diversity gaps and empower global talent.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
Writing your application?
Free guides on what funders look for, common mistakes, and how to stand out
How to apply to Cambridge Commonwealth Trust
Skip weeks of research. Write a strong application this afternoon — in your own words, with AI doing the heavy lifting.
Check your match
Describe your charity once and see how well you fit Cambridge Commonwealth Trust's priorities — scored on location, cause, size, and 3 other factors.
Draft with your AI co-pilot
Paste the application question and word limit. The co-pilot writes a first draft using your charity's real data and this funder's criteria — not generic filler. You edit every word before it leaves.
Review, refine, submit
Every answer runs through an 8-point quality check — clear ask, funder alignment, measurable outcomes, and more. You stay in control. The AI does the drafting; you make it sound like you.
Is Cambridge Commonwealth Trust right for your charity?
See your compatibility score and find similar funders.
Free · No credit card required
Similar Funders
Other funders with a similar profile and grant range.
Browse Related Grants
Apply to Cambridge Commonwealth Trust
Match, draft, and review — all in one place.
Free. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does Cambridge Commonwealth Trust provide?
Cambridge Commonwealth Trust typically provides grants ranging from From £10,000.
Where does Cambridge Commonwealth Trust fund charities?
Cambridge Commonwealth Trust funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from Cambridge Commonwealth Trust?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with Cambridge Commonwealth Trust. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and Cambridge Commonwealth Trust's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?
No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.
Your next application could be finished today
Cambridge Commonwealth Trust is one of 3,500+ UK funders in our database. See how well they match your charity, discover similar funders, and find the ones most likely to fund your work.
Free · No credit card required
You've explored 9 funders — let us find your best matches
Describe your charity once and we'll match you with the most relevant funders from 3,500+ UK grant-makers.