A Churchill Fellowship is a once in a lifetime opportunity to discover new approaches and best practice from other countries and use those insights to create change across the UK. We fund you to spend up to two months learning overseas or online and support you to put your findings into action.

Fellowships are based on learning from the world, discovering new ideas, and best practice from leading practitioners worldwide. Findings from this global research are used by Fellows to develop new solutions for today’s key challenges.

You will be expected to actively use your findings to spread knowledge and make change happen in your sector or community in the UK. You’ll also submit a summary of your learning and recommendations within three months of your overseas learning. You can find out more in the Fellows' Resources section of our website.

A Fellowship is a lifelong status, and you will be a part of our community for as long as you like. We offer guidance, a welcome webinar, and follow-up grants to help you put your learning into action. We’ll also share your ideas through our website and networks and help you connect with other Fellows working in related areas.

Fellowships are open to all UK citizens, regardless of qualifications, background, or age. They are given to individuals (not organisations) and are awarded once a year through an open application process.

Up to 120.

This varies from year to year, averaging around 1,000.

Fellowships are open to all UK citizens, regardless of qualifications, background, or age.

To apply, you must be:

• A UK Citizen in possession of proof of citizenship at the time when you apply.
• Living in the UK.
• Aged 18 or over when you submit your application form (or turn 18 by the end of that year).

Find out more about who and what we fund.

No. We welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds. If your project meets our criteria, we encourage you to apply.

We fund a wide range of projects. They must require learning from other countries and benefit a community or sector in the UK.

You can either apply to one of our current programmes or through our Open option.

Your project doesn’t need to relate to your job. Many Fellows base their project on personal experience or interests, but you should show how you’re actively involved in the area you want to explore – for example, through volunteering.

Each grant is calculated individually, based on your project, destinations, and length of learning. Our aim is to fully cover the costs of overseas or online research for up to two months.

We fund travel, accommodation, food, insurance, visas, vaccinations – depending on whether your learning is overseas, hybrid, or online. We can also cover costs for interpreters, personal assistants, and conference fees on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. We want you to access learning wherever it’s found, so we can fund interpreters where needed.

Yes. We assess this on a case-by-case basis, but we normally cover the costs of a personal assistant to ensure disability is never a barrier.

We cannot fund travel to areas where the FCDO advises against visiting. If shortlisted, you’ll submit a Risk and Safety Plan, and we’ll support you to put this into practice. Travel insurance for Fellows includes 24/7 emergency support and global incident monitoring.

We make every reasonable effort to support Fellows and ensure their safety, but ultimately, Fellows do travel at their own risk. Do review our Terms & Conditions.

You can complete our online application form during our annual application window. If you’re longlisted, you’ll be asked to submit a more detailed form. Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview.

Applications usually open in early September and close in early November. Our current round of applications opens on 2 September 2025 and closes at midday on 4 November 2025, for Fellowships starting from 1 August 2026. Exact dates vary from year to year – please check our timeline for the most up-to-date information.

Applicants will hear in December 2025 if they are longlisted, and in February 2026 if shortlisted. Please see our timeline for updates.

Yes, we let applicants know the main reason their application was not successful. Unfortunately, we can’t provide detailed feedback because of the volume of applications we receive.

Yes, you may re-apply as many times as you like. Many Fellows were successful on a later attempt. If you re-apply, take time to reflect on your feedback and who and what we fund.

Just one application per year.

No. Fellowships are awarded once per person to ensure as many people as possible can benefit.

No. Fellowships are only awarded to individuals.

To minimise bias, all applications are anonymised before they are assessed. This means that our assessors do not see any details of the applicant’s name, age, gender or other defining characteristics that might create a risk of unconscious bias. At interview, we offer reasonable adjustments so everyone can take part on equal terms.

We strongly encourage applicants to use the online form if they can. However, we can also accept applications by Word document or audio recording if that’s easier for you. Find out more about how we can support your application.

You can use AI to help you apply but we recommend you do so cautiously. AI tools often produce generic content, and your application will be assessed on the strength of your specific idea and on your potential as an individual.

An explanation of our current programmes can be found on our website. If your project fits more than one programme, choose the one that best matches your main focus. If needed, we may move your application to a more suitable one and let you know.

You can spend between four and eight weeks learning overseas as part of your Fellowship. This allows time for meaningful engagement, and reflection.

There’s no fixed limit, but we encourage you to focus your time to allow for depth. Most Fellows visit more than one country, but we suggest limiting travel to two continents.

We recognise the environmental impact of travel. If your project involves many countries, consider whether some research could be done online or by lower-impact travel. We may limit the duration or scope of travel if needed.

No. We can’t fund travel to countries or regions where the FCDO advises against all or all but essential travel. You’ll need to monitor guidance if visiting areas near such locations. Please see the latest FCDO travel advice.

We recognise the substantial impact that travel can have on our environment and encourage Fellows to consider their carbon footprint and carry out learning online where possible. Where travel is essential, we support low-impact options and offer advice on reducing environmental impact. Read more about our environmental approach.

Not when you submit your initial application. If you're shortlisted, we'll request a budget at that time.

You’re welcome to make early contacts, but it’s not essential. At the application stage, we just need an outline of who you hope to approach.

We recommend checking if your employer has any internal processes around grants or sabbaticals and discussing your plans with your manager before interview.

Yes. We’ll do all that we can to make the application process accessible for you. Please read our guidance or email applications@churchillfellowship.org to explore how we can help.

Yes. If you’re shortlisted, we’ll ask for two referees who’ve known you for at least 12 months and can speak to your potential to create change. They must not be family or personal friends.

Some questions have character limits, which include spaces and punctuation. These are listed in the form – please check them before writing your answers.

Go to the application form on our website and click 'Start application'. Enter your login details to return to your saved form. If you have any issues, please call 020 4591 2419 or email applications@churchillfellowship.org.

Don't start a new application. Please call 020 4591 2419 or email applications@churchillfellowship.org and we will help you regain access.

No. Once submitted, your application is final. We therefore strongly advise you to take the opportunity to review your application before submitting it.

Unfortunately, we can’t accept any applications submitted after the deadline. We strongly recommend applying early in case of technical issues.

Check your junk or spam folder first. If you still can’t find your confirmation email, please call 020 4591 2419.

Interviews are held in April and May. Each programme has its own panel, so interviews take place on fixed days. These dates will be published on our website and emailed to you – we recommend holding the relevant day free.

Yes. We select a reserve for each programme who may be invited to interview if a space becomes available. Reserves submit a shortlist form and references, and many have gone on to receive Fellowships.

No. Interviews are run by subject-specific panels, so they can only take place on the allocated date.

All our Fellowship offers are calculated on a case-by-case basis. Because of the range of our Fellowships, there is no typical or maximum grant size. If shortlisted, we’ll ask you to estimate your costs. We’ll then work with a travel agent and use our rate card to calculate your grant. The size of your budget won’t affect the outcome – just keep it realistic.

By the beginning of June 2026. Please see our timeline.