We report shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced fluorescence (SHINEF) of CdTe quantum dots. Enhanced spectra are obtained after Ag SHINs were spread onto homogenous CdTe quantum dot/polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer (LbL) films on quartz. The thin silica shell of the SHINs effectively isolates the Ag cores, preventing short-range quenching to the metal and enabling plasmon enhancement of the quantum dot fluorescence (ca. 35 fold). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.