June 2026
When the Khalili Foundation was announced as the Founder Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) at CHOGM 2024, alongside His Majesty King Charles III, we embarked on a mission to build climate resilience across Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Now, less than two years later, that vision is becoming a reality.
The programme—inspired by His Majesty and established with the support of the Khalili Foundation, alongside a significant personal donation from The King—has made extraordinary strides in its first full year of operation. Two of its three co-designed pathways are now underway, with early cohorts of ‘King’s Fellows’ already forming a vibrant Community of Practice across the SIDS.
Khalili Foundation was announced as the Founder Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) at CHOGM 2024, alongside His Majesty King Charles III
Developing Next-Generation Talent
The PhD pathway launched in September 2025 with 21 Fellows from academia, industry, and government—surpassing the original target of 20. These researchers are working across climate resilience themes, hosted by more than 20 partner universities across the Commonwealth. The programme is building academic capacity, ‘training the trainers’ of future generations of researchers and key workers.
In March 2026, 11 of the PhD Fellows travelled to London for Commonwealth Week—their first in-person meeting. The week was marked by extraordinary moments: a service at Westminster Abbey, an official reception at St James’s Palace attended by the Foundation’s Trustee Mr Nizam Uddin OBE, a roundtable at the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s CEO Summit at Hampton Court Palace, and a special reception at the Royal Society where they engaged with Mr Waqas Ahmed, Executive Director of the Khalili Foundation. Most notably, the Fellows had the privilege of meeting His Majesty The King on two occasions—a testament to The King’s deep personal commitment to the programme.
The King’s Fellows with Waqas Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Khalili Foundation, at the Royal Society
Equipping Front-Line Professionals
The Professional pathway has exceeded all expectations. The first cohort of 30 Climate Resilience Fellows—22 women and 8 men—began in February 2026. Drawn from the public sector, universities, civil society, and the private sector, these professionals represent 18 Caribbean nations, 9 Pacific nations, and 3 Indian Ocean nations.
Their applied postgraduate certificate in climate adaptation practice, accredited by the University of Mauritius, combines collaborative online modules with an in-person residential week in Jamaica. The response to the call for mentors was overwhelming: 257 applications were received, demonstrating the breadth of support across the Commonwealth.
Building for the Future
The Undergraduate pathway is now in development, aiming to offer 80 scholarships in key sectors—education, healthcare, and engineering—to address SIDS’ critical capacity challenges. A pilot will open for applications in early 2027.
Meet some of the first cohort of PhD King’s Fellows and hear what this opportunity means to them and their SIDS. Hear from key stakeholders in the programme, including our donors, trainers for the Fellows and High Commissioners.
Expanding Reach Across the Commonwealth
The programme is making significant progress in reaching every Commonwealth SIDS nation. The Professional pathway has successfully attracted applicants from the Bahamas, Solomon Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia—nations that had not previously offered applicants for the PhD pathway. The ACU is actively engaging with the remaining unrepresented nations, including recent discussions with the government of Samoa.
A Growing Community of Practice
The online Community of Practice was launched in February, enabling Fellows from both the PhD and Professional pathways to share experiences and amplify their collective impact. The programme has also forged valuable new connections with potential funders and allies—including philanthropists, Commonwealth organisations, and the FCDO—during Commonwealth Week events.
Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, Founder and Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, said at the programme’s launch: “We at the Khalili Foundation are honoured and proud to be the Founder Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme… His Majesty has been at the forefront of promoting environmental sustainability and encouraging harmonious societies for many decades—issues and values that are closely aligned to our mission.”
As we look ahead to CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda in November, the Khalili Foundation remains committed to supporting this transformative initiative—building climate resilience, strengthening communities, and empowering the next generation of leaders across the Commonwealth.
