Winston Churchill Memorial Trust

When Sir Winston Churchill died in 1965, large sums of money were raised by public subscription to create a suitable memorial for him. He had already anticipated this, and expressed the wish that the funds should be used to encourage people of all walks of life to undertake independent foreign study.

Two Trusts were formed, one in the UK and one in Australia, to 'perpetuate and honour the memory of Sir Winston Churchill' by administering the award of Travelling Fellowships known as a Churchill Fellowship. While the two Trusts are independent, they have a similar approach, identifying potential themes each year and inviting members of the public to submit applications under these themes. The applications are vetted and a shortlist is created. People on this shortlist are then interviewed and the successful ones are awarded a Fellowship.

Today, they receive sufficient funds for four weeks of foreign travel and subsistence, and the majority of recipients plan a trip of this length. In Australia the average award is AU$25000 and the Trust administers a number of additional 'sponsored' Fellowships. Figures for the UK are not available.

The recipients organise their own travel and undertake their own research. Upon their return, they submit a report to the Trustees. Once their report is accepted, they are formally installed as Fellows and receive their insignia, consisting of a specially minted Churchill Medal, at a national award ceremony.

Applicants must be citizens of the respective country (UK or Australia) and the research must necessitate foreign travel.

An implication taken from the award of a Fellowship is that the recipient is a leader or has potential leadership in their field of endeavour, and that the Fellowship will strengthen their usefulness to society. They are encouraged to promote the Fellowships, encouraging others to apply, and thus perpetuating the memory of Sir Winston.

There are local Associations to which Fellows may belong, and which generally maintain links with the respective Trust headquarters.

External links

* [http://www.churchilltrust.com.au/ The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (Australia)]
* [http://www.wcmt.org.uk/ The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (UK)]
* [http://www.churchilltrust.com.au/content.php?id=49 current Australian Fellows]
* [http://www.churchilltrust.com.au/category.php?id=57 Australian Fellows' Reports] , by category, from 2001
* [http://www.wcmt.org.uk/reports/ UK Fellows' Reports] , searchable, from 2005