After pausing for 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, the Winston Churchill Trust is planning once again to fund around 100 people to explore international best practice and innovation in a field of their choosing.
The Churchill Trust is a non-academic program that offers everyday Australians the opportunity to travel overseas and investigate a topic they are passionate about. No specific qualifications are required and Fellowships are not used to undertake formal academic study. Instead, recipients spend four to eight weeks visiting, observing and working alongside leaders in their sector.
The precise topic of focus is up to the applicant, who designs their own itinerary, however applicants are expected to have exhausted locally available knowledge. Importantly, they must also demonstrate potential benefits to their sector or community, and share the findings on their return.
2022 Churchill Fellows will receive an average of $28,000 each for travel and research to be undertaken during 2023. The Trust will also provide invaluable support, including assistance with navigating travel requirements.
A virtual information session focussing on horticulture and viticulture is being held on Monday, 21 February. The session will feature Queensland wine industry consultant Mike Hayes and Tasmanian orchardist Sally Dakis, who respectively explored alternative grape varieties to tackle climate change, and value-adding and marketing of cherry products in the food processing industry. It will also include live Q&A on preparing an application.
Along with general Fellowships, specific sponsored Fellowships being offered this year include the new Saskia Beer Churchill Fellowship to investigate artisanal food production and small-scale farming, and the Hort Innovation Australia Churchill Fellowship to cultivate new ideas in horticulture.
Registration for the virtual sessions is essential. Book and find out more about the program here.
2022 Churchill Fellowship applications are now open, with a closing date of 28 April.
