In a 7 August 2026 announcement, the British High Commission Islamabad said the UK had opened applications for 3 flagship programmes aimed at Pakistani leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs. The programmes are Chevening Scholarships, the Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship and the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship.

Chevening Scholarships offer fully funded one-year master's degrees at UK universities. The Oxford fellowship supports mid-career academics and professionals undertaking independent research at Oxford. The startup fellowship was intended to help entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, learn from UK experts and prepare to scale. All programmes include flights, course fees, visas and stipend payments for living costs.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said Pakistan had no shortage of talent and that the programmes help outstanding Pakistanis develop skills, networks and ideas. The commission said applicants must not submit AI-generated answers and risk disqualification if they do. It said applications for the startup fellowship were open from 3 August to 1 September 2026, and that more than 2,000 Chevening alumni in Pakistan work across public service, business, academia, media and civil society.