The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is a name that is given to an international programme that makes sure that proper types of scholarships as well as fellowships are given to deserving candidates.

It is a program under which Commonwealth governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. It is that simple as that. It plays a very important role in giving apt scholarships to people who really deserve it and that further enhances the education sector in the best possible way.

Let me tell you some of the facts that are associated with it. It was initially proposed by Canadian statesman Sidney Earle Smith in a speech in Montreal on September 1, 1958. and further it was established in the year 1959. The very first program was held in Oxford, UK and was a great success altogether. Since that particular period of time, over 25,000 individuals have held awards, hosted by over twenty countries. It is very important for all of you to know that it is one of the primary mechanisms of pan-Commonwealth exchange.

It is interesting to know that there is no particular body which manages the CSFP. But the interesting thing to note is that participation is based on a series of bi-lateral arrangements that is held between home and host countries.

In the United Kingdom, that is believed to be the biggest contributor to the Plan, this process is managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom offers:

• Scholarships is offered for postgraduate study
• Academic Fellowships is arranged for staff in developing country universities
• Split-site Scholarships for PhD students so that they can spend all most one year in the UK
• Professional Fellowships for mid-career professionals who are based in the developing countries
• Distance Learning Scholarships for students who belong to developing country so that they can study Master's degree courses