A new round of funding for UK Organisations to host developing country professionals as part of the Commonwealth Professional Fellowships Scheme has been announced for 2011-12.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission will be providing funds for UK organisations to host visits from mid-career professionals from the developing Commonwealth in 2011 under their Professional Fellowships Scheme.

UK organisations in all sectors are eligible to apply for Commonwealth Professional Fellowships, which provide an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, skills and good practice between the host organisation and up to six Fellows.

Commonwealth Professional Fellowships support programmes of professional development designed to have a catalytic effect in enhancing skills that will subsequently be applied in a developing Commonwealth country. Funding is available for programmes of between one and six months. Applications are sought for professional development programmes in the broadly defined fields of agriculture/fisheries/forestry, economic growth, education, engineering/science/technology, environment, governance, and public health.

In 2011-2012, the Commission will also be working with the Scottish Government to offer Commonwealth Saltire Professional Fellowships for programmes in the field of climate change. These awards, funded by the Scottish Government, are open to Scottish host organisations which are able to identify a Fellow or Fellows who have the ability to influence progress towards minimising the impact of climate change in their home country.

All host organisations applying should be able to set up a coherent programme and to identify suitable Fellows themselves. Commonwealth Professional Fellowships cover the full cost of travel to and from the UK, living expenses, some UK travel and other approved short course and conference expenses for the Fellow(s), as well as a contribution to host organisation costs of £800.

The closing date for the first round of 2011 applications is 21 April 2011. An information event for prospective host organisations will be held on 10 February 2011, in London.    A further event will be held in Scotland, date to be confirmed.  If you are interested in attending either event, please do e-mail  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  as soon as possible to book a place.

For further information, including a prospectus which sets out full terms and conditions of the awards, to register interest in applying, or to attend the information event, please visit www.cscuk.org.uk/apply/professional_fellowships.asp or contact me Deborah Bennett at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it