Mission
Learn globally, inspire locally.
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust was established in 1965 following the death of Sir Winston Churchill, with funds from the Aotearoa New Zealand government and the public. Its principal objective is to perpetuate and honour Sir Winston Churchill’s memory through the awarding of Churchill Fellowships.
Churchill Fellow Kate Evans researched her first book, a ‘biography’ of the feijoa, unravelling the history and culture of the fruit and its journey from South America to New Zealand.
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Discover inspiring stories from Churchill Fellows, and stay informed about the latest news from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here, you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about applying for a Churchill Fellowship.
What does the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust fund?
Churchill Fellowships fund short-term travel up to the value of $12,000 to be undertaken in the calendar year following the application. The Trust expects applicants to personally meet not less than 20% of the total estimated costs of their proposed travel, and to contribute more if they are able.
Churchill Fellowship applications must be for:
- short-term travel outside Aotearoa New Zealand in the calendar year following the fellowship request
- investigation, experience and/or research that will help to advance your field of interest, occupation, trade, industry, profession or community on your return to Aotearoa New Zealand
How do I apply for a Fellowship?
Applications for Churchill Fellowships and the Winston Churchill McNeish Writers’ Fellowshipcan be made online once a funding round opens.
Applications must be made through the Department of Internal Affairs Community Matters site. This requires you to log into its grants management system, which will ask you for your ‘Real Me’ login or enable you to apply for a ‘Real Me’ login. Once you have a ‘Real Me’ login, you will be able to access the application form. For more information and/or assistance with ‘Real Me’, telephone 0800 824 824.
There is one funding round each year. Applications must be submitted through ‘Real Me’ within the funding-round window (usually the first Wednesday in July and mid-August). You may only submit one application to a funding round. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in a future funding round. Successful applicants may not reapply.
Can I use the Fellowship to obtain a qualification?
No. Fellowships applications to study for academic, professional, trade and other qualifications will not be funded.
Who can apply to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust?
People who are New Zealand citizens or ordinarily resident in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue may apply for a Fellowship if they have not previously received a Fellowship. Proof of permanent residency will be required – a copy of your NZ passport or a copy of an endorsement in your passport.
Please note that there are restrictions on who can apply for the Winston Churchill McNeish Writers’ Fellowship.
Churchill Fellowships are open to people at all stages in their careers, in any profession, industry, occupation or trade. All subject areas are considered. There are no qualification requirements, but applicants need to show how they will share their travel learnings with their peers and communities. The Trust would like to receive more requests for Fellowships in agriculture, science or technology and/or for learning from cultures in the Pacific and Asian regions. It welcomes more requests from people living in communities outside of Aotearoa New Zealand’s larger cities, and from people from all ethnic backgrounds, including M?ori and Pacific peoples.
How many funding rounds are there?
There is one funding round each year. The funding round usually opens on the first Wednesday in July and closes mid-August. Successful applicants are usually notified by the end of October in the year the application is made.
You may only submit one application to a funding round. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in a future funding round. Successful applicants may not reapply.
In your application, you will need to:
- describe your project in less than 100 words
- estimate the total cost of your project and state how much you are requesting
- explain why your project is needed
- describe the expected benefits to you, the area you work and/or have an interest in, and the benefits to the community and Aotearoa New Zealand
- outline your experience relevant to the project
- explain how you will share the findings from your Fellowship experience.
The following supporting documents must be uploaded as part of your application:
- evidence of your New Zealand, Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue citizenship or permanent residency – for example a copy of your birth certificate, NZ passport or a copy of an endorsement in your passport
- your curriculum vitae
- a letter from two referees commenting on your ability to successfully achieve your Fellowship plans and how your proposal will benefit you and, on your return, the community and Aotearoa New Zealand
- requests for a Winston Churchill McNeish Writers’ Fellowship must include a writing sample and evidence of one or more publications or writing success achieved to date.
An application that does not include the required supporting documents will be ineligible.