College of Fellows of CTSI

The College of Fellows (CoF) of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute is a registered charity that has supported both the educational activities of CTSI and the wider trading standards profession, for more than 65 years.

To find out more about the role and activities of the College of Fellows, you might like to read a recent article in the Journal of Trading Standards: The CoF's supporting role - Journal Of Trading Standards. The College of Fellows also maintains a constant, active and very welcome presence at CTSI's Annual Symposium (a.k.a. the Annual Conference), where you can meet many of our Fellows in person - see you in Leeds!

Our Charitable Work

We provide vital help for the families and dependants of trading standards professionals who die in service and in other times of crisis, offer financial support for members' educational and research activities, and promote greater understanding of the work of the trading standards profession and consumer protection issues amongst the general public.

Welfare Support - for those in need

The College of Fellows of CTSI is the only charity dedicated to helping people working (or who have worked) in trading standards - and their families. Whether they’ve stumbled on hard times, been struck by tragedy, or face other challenges they’re struggling to cope with, with your help, the College of Fellows can provide a lifeline. And your donation, however modest, can make a difference to their lives. 

Educational Support

• Research Scholarships : These are awarded where it is "for the benefit of members, the trading standards community, and the general public". The College of Fellows may be able to provide up to 100% funding of costs for CTSI Members who meet the criteria.
• Overseas Research Bursaries : Initially to the value of £1,250, we offer bursaries for short-term projects, to cover travel to the country of the applicant’s choice, and subsistence. They offer the chance to discover how trading standards tasks are performed overseas, and are available to all categories of CTSI membership – although Full members with foreign language competence are given priority. Applicants must identify their preferred project, outline the institutions they plan to visit, and indicate the extent of potential contacts, endorsement and support – particularly from senior management. A summary article of about 1,500 words will be required from successful candidates within three months of their return. 

Donate to the College of Fellows

If you'd like to make a donation to the College of Fellows - to support our work - please click here to visit our Just Giving page. You can make a one-off donation, or make a regular commitment. Whatever you can spare will us help transform people's lives.

The College of Fellows of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute is a Registered Charity in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (charity registration number: 213351). For more details, including a list of our current Board of Trustees, please see the Charity Commission website. 

Joining the College

To join the ranks of Fellowship, a CTSI member needs to have ‘gone the extra mile’, either for the profession or in support of the institute. They can then be nominated by another member, if they are seconded and supported by six other members. Nominations are considered by the College of Fellows' committee, which makes recommendations to the CoF’s annual general meeting, normally held in June at the CTSI Symposium. Approval is then sought from CTSI Council at its autumn meeting, and successful nominees are formally welcomed into the CoF at CTSI’s next Annual Conference. 

Contacting the College of Fellows

If you would like to know more about the College of Fellows, or make a charitable donation to support our work, please contact the Secretary at [email protected]. 

Similarly, if you have any media, policy or communications enquiries relating to the College of Fellows, or the advocacy/outreach work that CTSI undertakes to further the wider public education aims of the College, please contact us at [email protected].

Our Charitable Status

Established in 1957, the College of Fellows of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute is a Registered Charity in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (charity registration number: 213351). For more details, including a list of our current Board of Trustees, please see the Charity Commission website.