Following major reviews in 2006 and 2007, and a reassessment by the current Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ministerial team, we have determined a new, more focused approach to Chevening scholarships and fellowships. The scholarship programme will identify and sponsor young people with the potential to become the world's leaders of the future. Through our scholarship scheme we will build and maintain our relationships with these outstanding individuals as well as encouraging them to build relationships with each other. Our Fellowship programme will train and build networks of mid-career professionals working around the world on issues of vital importance to the UK. These are people we will work with closely to deliver our key policy goals.
FCO Ministers agreed that the Chevening programme should remain global, but targeted primarily on the key countries of interest to us in achieving our policy objectives.
The Chevening Annual Report for 2006-07, which we hope to publish shortly, will provide detailed information about the operation of the Chevening programme last year. There are 1,309 Chevening scholars studying at academic institutions in the UK this year (2007-08).