UK suspends several programs under Chevening Scholarship scheme for Maldives

The prestigious short-term fellowships offered to Maldivians under the UK government’s Chevening program have been suspended for one year. Due to budget constraints and resource limitations, the programs put on hold for the 2027-28 academic year include the Chevening Research, Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship (CRISP), the Chevening Cybersecurity Fellowship, and the Chevening South Asia Journalism Program (SAJP).

According to informed sources, the "Chevening CRISP" and "Chevening Cyber Security Fellowship" have been suspended for one year to review and further strengthen the quality of the programs. The head of the program in India noted that nearly 40 percent of selected candidates hail from the country's tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The "CRISP" fellowship, hosted at Oxford University, is a 12-week program specifically designed for scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The Cyber Security Fellowship, conducted at Cranfield University as part of the UK Defence Academy, is a 10-week program. Additionally, the "SAJP" fellowship at the University of Westminster is an 8-week program tailored for journalists.

In response to inquiries from "The Hindu," a spokesperson for the British High Commission stated that these programs are currently under review to ensure they remain highly beneficial for both participants and the involved institutions. As part of this process, the spokesperson confirmed that certain programs will be suspended in 2027. Furthermore, reports indicate that while the "SAJP" program will be paused in 2027 due to resource constraints at the university, it is expected to resume in 2028.

The CRISP Fellowship is a program exclusively designed for participants from India and Sri Lanka. While the Cybersecurity Fellowship is open to India as well as countries in the Western Balkans, the SAJP is a unique initiative that brings together journalists from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the Maldives. The Chevening team is currently working to secure private sector partnerships to support both the CRISP and Cybersecurity fellowships.

Furthermore, information regarding the "Chevening Gurukul Fellowship," scheduled to take place from September to November 2027, is expected to be released in early November 2026. This 12-week program, hosted at the University of Oxford, is open to Indian professionals across various sectors, including government, media, and civil society.

According to a paper presented to Parliament by the UK Foreign Secretary in 2023, the Chevening program generates between £6 million and £7 million annually through partnerships with corporations and universities. This funding covers approximately 22 percent of the scholars' total costs. Established in 1983, the Chevening Scholarship program was further expanded in 2004 with the introduction of fellowships. Applications are now open for the 2027-28 Chevening Scholarships, which provide full funding for Master’s degree studies in the United Kingdom. These programs serve as a vital instrument for the UK in strengthening its international relations.

Data submitted to the UK Parliament reveals that a £10 million budget cut in 2010 led to the suspension of several scholarships during the 2010-11 academic year. While 1,650 scholarships were awarded in 2017-18, the figures have since seen a decline. Specifically, 1,630 opportunities were provided in 2020-21, followed by 1,396 in 2021-22, 1,359 in 2022-23, and 1,332 in 2023-24, with 1,401 scholarships awarded for the 2024-25 period.