Supporting Capacity Building, Collaboration and Leadership in Fish Welfare Across Asia 

Scheme Overview 

The Asian Fish Welfare Network (AFWN) seeks to strengthen regional and international collaboration, build technical and research capacity, and support the next generation of fish welfare leaders across Asia. 

To achieve this, AFWN has launched the International Mobility Scheme, a competitive bursary and exchange programme that enables researchers, practitioners, policy professionals, industry representatives, and other relevant stakeholders to undertake short-term visits to host organisations involved in fish welfare research including organisations focusing on policy, management, education or industry innovation. The scheme is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange, practical skills development, networking, and long-term collaboration across the fish welfare value chain. 

The programme will support mobility both within Asia (regional mobility) and outside Asia (international mobility).  

Scheme objectives

  • Capacity building

  • Knowledge exchange

  • Network development

  • Leadership development

  • Strengthening fish welfare impact

Funding Structure 

Mobility Categories 

A. Regional Mobility (Within Asia) 

  • Funding: the total budget for this category is £3,000 and we expect to fund 2 or 3 projects. 

  • Intended for visits within Asian countries. 

B. International Mobility (Outside Asia) 

  • Funding: The total budget for this category is £7,000 and we expect to fund 2 or 3 projects. 

  • Intended for visits to institutions outside Asia. 

Duration of Visits 

  • Minimum duration: 2 weeks 

  • Maximum duration: 3 months 

Number of Awards 

  • Target: at least 3 individuals per participating country over the programme period. 

  • Number of awards annually subject to available funding. 

Priority Groups 

The scheme will prioritize: 

Early Career Researchers (ECRs) 

Individuals within approximately: 

  • 10 years of completing their highest degree, or 

  • Early stages of their professional career. 

Emerging Professionals Across the Value Chain 

  • Including individuals working in aquaculture production, fish transport, handling and slaughter, veterinary services, policy and regulatory bodies, industry associations, NGOs and community organisations

What the Scheme Will Support 

Examples of supported activities may include: 

  • Laboratory training in fish welfare methodologies 

  • Learning welfare assessment techniques 

  • Training in humane slaughter or handling methods 

  • Exposure to welfare monitoring technologies 

  • Policy and governance learning exchanges 

  • Industry placements within aquaculture companies 

  • Collaborative research visits 

  • Participation in fish welfare workshops or specialist training programmes 

  • Learning best welfare practices in transport, husbandry, or enrichment 

  • Data analysis or methodological training 

  • Building regional policy or welfare implementation frameworks 

Applicant Eligibility 

Applicants must: 

  • Be based in an eligible Asian country (Indonesia, Thailand or Vietnam). 

  • Demonstrate interest or involvement in fish welfare-related work. 

  • Secure confirmation from a host institution. 

  • Demonstrate how the mobility activity aligns with AFWN objectives. 

Host Organisation Requirements 

Host organisations must: 

  • Have expertise relevant to fish welfare. 

  • Provide a clear programme of activities. 

  • Designate a supervisor or mentor. 

  • Confirm willingness to host the applicant. 

  • Support meaningful engagement and skills development. 

Host organisations may be: 

  • Public or private 

  • Government Organisations 

  • For-profit or non-profit 

  • Academic or industry-based 

  • Located within Asia or internationally 

Call Timeline

  • Call opens: 4 June 2026

  • Submission Deadline: 6 August 2026

To find out more about the scheme and make an applications, please download the following documents:

Mobility Information
Mobility Application