New Zealand Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
- Background
- Mission / Whakatakanga
- Purpose / Kaupapa
- What we fund
- What we do not fund
- Funding priorities
- Who can apply
- How much to apply for
- Making an application
- Fellows and their research reports
Background
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (WCMT) was established in 1965 with funds from both the government and the public. Since then, net income earned from investments has been used to award up to 20 Churchill fellowships each year.
Sir Winston Churchill believed that world peace and greater international understanding could be promoted through ordinary people travelling to other countries and experiencing other cultures.
In his honour, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust assists New Zealanders to travel overseas to learn more about other people and cultures and to investigate topics that will help them to increase their contribution to the community and their trade, industry, profession, business or calling.
The Trust is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs.
There are also Winston Churchill Memorial Trusts in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Trust patron
His Excellency, Lieutenant General, The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand
Trust membership
Rachael Selby (Chair)
A Graeme Hall (Deputy Chair)
Bruce Robertson
Dr Airini
Dr Helen Nicholson
Fiona Tregonning
Len Cook
Margy-Jean Malcolm
Mary Schnackenberg
Mission / Whakatakanga
The Trust aims to assist all kinds of New Zealanders from all walks of life to travel overseas and bring back with them new insights and understanding that will enrich their community and, ultimately, New Zealand as a whole.
Purpose / Kaupapa
Churchill Fellowships are intended for overseas travel, typically between three weeks and three months in duration, for intensive research to learn more about other people and cultures and to investigate topics that will help them to increase their contribution to the community.
What we fund
Fellowships are awarded for travel and research to be undertaken in the year immediately after the year of application. Fellowships are granted for travel outside New Zealand only.
Short courses which form part of an eligible project may also be considered.
Applications close on 31 July each year. Fellowships are announced during December. Successful applicants will be advised by the Trust board. If accepted, the applicant will then be required to prepare a formal itinerary for approval before the Fellowship is paid.
What we do not fund
The WCMT does not make grants towards academic or professional qualifications and funding is not normally granted for attending academic or professional conferences.
Applications must be for travel between 1 January and 31 December in the year immediately after the year of application. Applications for travel earlier or later than these dates will not be considered.
Funding priorities
The WCMT places great importance on the benefits of the project to New Zealand. Applicants must therefore state clearly what the benefit will be, and how they are qualified to discover and promote that benefit.
Who can apply
All New Zealanders, either citizens or people normally resident in New Zealand, may apply for a fellowship.
How much to apply for
The WCMT has limited income and the board aims to distribute this income as widely as possible for the greatest benefit to New Zealand. The greater the effort by applicants to meet their travel costs, then the greater will be the number of applicants whom the Trust Board can help.
The WCMT will make a contribution to the all-inclusive costs of travel of the successful applicants.
Applicants are expected to meet not less than 20 per cent of the total estimated costs and must be prepared to contribute more if they are able. While consideration will be given for grants of up to $10,000, the average for grants is from $5000 to $7000.
The Trust board does not accept any responsibility for increased costs.
The Trust board requires evidence that costs of travel are at the best available rates. A quote for your travel expenses as evidence of the costs should be attached to your application.
