Striving for change? Do you want to see what other countries are doing successfully in a similar field to inspire new ideas and innovation back home in Australia? This is your chance to make a difference. Supercharge your social impact with a Churchill Fellowship! This prestigious award offers you the opportunity to travel overseas for up to 8 weeks to meet and work with leaders, influencers and innovators to investigate a topic or an issue you are passionate about.
Applications close very soon, so we caught up with Adam Davey, CEO of the Churchill Trust, to find out more:
“The Churchill Fellowship is awarded to more than 100 Australians each year. They come from all walks of life, some are experienced veterans in their field while others are ambitious people forging a new direction, all striving to achieve change. No prescribed qualifications are required in order to apply. We really want to see people from diverse backgrounds and every corner of the country apply for this award.
What is particularly exciting about the Churchill Fellowship and what makes it different to other similar grants and scholarships is that the topic is unlimited. We don’t put restrictions on how applicants go about creating their project. The Fellowship allows applicants to create the project they wish to investigate, so they can address what is important and beneficial for their specific community. All that is required is that the project will benefit Australia and that the applicant is willing to share the knowledge gained on returning home.
The first step in applying is to fill out our online application form which isn’t particularly onerous but does require some thought. Make sure you read the whole application form and understand what it is about the project and your itinerary that we want to see. We also require a personal reference and a project reference from someone familiar with what you are trying to achieve.
Where many applications fall down is that the applicant hasn’t given enough thought to how he or she will share their learnings on their return to Australia. Dissemination of knowledge is an inherent condition of the Fellowship. For example, you might talk about how you will present at conferences or teach classes on your topic of interest. Those things are critical in showing the judging panel that you will have a broader impact on your return to Australia.
It’s also crucially important to demonstrate a need for the work. You need to show that you have fully researched your topic and taken it as far as you can in Australia.
A final tip is to make sure that your passion for your project and the issue you are pursuing comes through in your application and later if you reach the interview stage.
At the heart of the Churchill Fellowship is the passion that Fellows possess, all determined to make a difference for Australia and it is this passion that the Trust looks for in its applicants.
It’s often said that a Churchill Fellowship will open doors. The brand was established in 1965 and has recognition all around the world that gives Fellows the opportunity to meet people and develop networks that they otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to do.
Fellows return with the belief that they will make an impact, and while progress can take time, the Fellowship is well-known for propelling our Fellows towards achievements that are truly inspiring. It really can be life changing.”
