International Learning Opportunity: Apply Now!

Have you ever wanted to explore new ideas in a subject close to your heart?

Discover how things are done in other countries and bring that knowledge back home?

In partnership with the Prince’s Countryside Fund, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust is now accepting applications for Churchill Fellowships, a life-changing opportunity to research new ideas and best practice overseas. Churchill Fellows are funded to research new ideas overseas for 4-8 weeks, in topics and countries of their own choice, with the intent of gaining fresh perspectives and insights that can make a difference to their community or profession back home.

This year Churchill Fellowships are being awarded in a new ‘Rural living: strengthening countryside communities’ category, and Applications are invited for projects that explore new approaches in rural communities, for example to invigorate transport networks, reimagine housing, employment and enterprise, or improve access to education, culture and healthcare.

Julia Weston, Chief Executive of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, said:

“Rural communities and economies are currently going through a period of great change, and face a huge range of challenges, as well as opportunities, especially in light of Brexit. In March the House of Lords select committee on rural communities reported that some of the worst spots for deprivation and intergenerational poverty are in the countryside. We’re looking for new ideas that can help to tackle that. These Churchill Fellowships will fund people who are inspired to seek new solutions for rural life and keen to make change happen.”

Claire Saunders, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, said:

“We are delighted to be working with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Their Fellowships offer a wonderful chance at a time of great change, for people to undertake grass roots research into ways of regenerating rural communities, and importantly it also provides a platform for people to share their vital findings. Whoever you are, these Fellowships are a chance for everyone to research and share their findings.”

In 2012 Ann Pascoe, from Sutherland, Scotland, travelled to India to learn from initiatives enabling lay people to detect early symptoms of dementia and career stress. On her return to the UK, Ann established a social enterprise to raise the profile of dementia in rural communities. She was also invited to join the Prime Minister's rural dementia communities task group.

Everyone can apply, regardless of age, background or qualifications, so long as they are a UK citizen aged 18 or over.

The deadline for applications is 18 September 2018, for travel in 2019.

To find out more or to apply, visit the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust’s website.