Churchill Fellows given Activate awards to increase their impact across the UK
Today we make the first awards from a new programme, the Activate Fund, which supports Churchill Fellows’ projects during the key period when they first return from their overseas research and start to make change happen in the UK.
This year the Fund is providing £101,000 in grants to seven Fellows, as part of a dedicated support package encompassing funds and non-financial assistance.
The grant recipients are:
- Amy Varle: combating homelessness through national networks
- Ann Pascoe: supporting carers in rural areas
- Brenda Parker: decontaminating polluted water with micro-organisms
- Joanne McPeake: preventing readmission of critical care patients
- Michael Davies: teaching controversial histories in schools
- Suzanne Smith: protecting infants from Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Tony Wright: supporting women veterans into civilian life
"We are thrilled to announce Activate grants for these seven inspiring projects," said Jacob Polny, Trustee and Chair of the Activate Fund panel. "We were encouraged by the many strong applications received from our Churchill Fellows and it was a very difficult choice to narrow down the field. While this is the first year of the Activate Fund initiative, we hope it will establish itself as a new and important tool in supporting Churchill Fellows to amplify the impact of their work in the UK."
The Activate Fund is a three-year pilot project, making its first grants in 2020. In this phase, we have allocated £101,000 for awards from £4,000 to £20,000. The scheme has been developed in consultation with Fellows, to respond to their practical needs. It supports the activation or acceleration of their Fellowship projects.
Fellows wishing to apply for future funding rounds can find out more in the Fellows’ area of our website.