Winston Churchill Memorial Trust

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, established in 1965 as a living memorial to Sir Winston Churchill through public subscription and government support, awards Churchill Fellowships to UK citizens resident in the UK, enabling individuals from all backgrounds—no academic qualifications required—to travel overseas for original research and learning. Its mission is to advance knowledge and public benefit by fostering global best practices that inspire systemic change in UK professions, communities, and society, rooted in values of openness, merit, personal initiative, and transformative impact.

It funds investigative travel fellowships addressing annually selected contemporary challenges, such as mental health, education, criminal justice reform, environment, healthcare innovation, arts accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and social entrepreneurship. Beneficiaries span the UK population, prioritizing projects with wide societal reach, from youth mental health initiatives and prison rehabilitation to suicide prevention and urban sustainability. Supported activities include study visits, professional exchanges, and best-practice reviews, with fellows disseminating findings via networks, events, and policy engagement; post-fellowship Activate grants (£10,000–£30,000) aid implementation.

Eligible applicants are individual UK citizens based anywhere in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), from grassroots leaders to sector professionals, with no income or organizational size restrictions—funding goes directly to people, not entities. Typical fellowships cover £4,000–£8,000 for travel, accommodation, and subsistence (average £6,000). Unsolicited applications use an annual online form; 2025 window opens 2 September, closes midday 4 November, with decisions by spring 2026.

Distinctively, it excludes organizational core costs, capital, or unrestricted grants, focusing solely on individual-led global learning for UK impact. Its peer network, heritage as Churchill's legacy, and emphasis on underrepresented voices with limited international access set it apart as a catalyst for innovation and shared wisdom.