The preliminary selection of candidates for academic staff fellowships is carried out in India by University Grants Commission (UGC). You should, therefore, be resident in India when you apply. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), London does the final selection on the basis of the nominations sent by the UGC. The preliminary selection is done through a process of nomination of academic staff by the executive head of the university on whose permanent staff the nominee serves. This is followed by shortlisting of applications and personal interviews in New Delhi. The UGC sends circulars to all universities in July or August every year for nominations for the awards beginning the following academic year. Therefore, you must apply for these scholarships at least one year before the course starts. Deadlines vary, so you must check with your respective executive heads about the deadline for applying. The interviews are normally held in November or December for the awards beginning September in the following year.

You are advised not to write to the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) in London, as they cannot allocate individual scholarships. Instead, you may contact the Commonwealth Scholarship Agency in your own country. If you are already in the UK, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) can help you with general information concerning the scheme, but it cannot issue application forms to international students. Further details can be had from the Department of Education website www.eaucation.nic