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What does the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust fund?

Winston Churchill fellowship requests must be for:

  • short-term travel outside 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 or profession on your return to New Zealand

*The Trust may also consider requests from people wishing to visit New Zealand for a fellowship that will contribute to a profession, industry, occupation or trade in New Zealand or benefit New Zealand in general.

The Trust has limited income and aims to distribute this income as widely as possible each year for the greatest benefit to New Zealand.

The usual amount awarded for a fellowship is between $7,000 and $10,000. The Trust expects applicants to personally meet not less than 20 per cent of the total estimated costs of their proposed fellowship, and to contribute more if they are able.

Partnered fellowships

As well as Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships, there are special purpose fellowships in partnership with others.

Winston Churchill McNeish Writers Fellowship

This partnered fellowship is for promising writers and journalists to travel and live overseas. The intention is for the recipient’s horizons to broaden and shift so that their writing is enhanced. Priority is given to applicants who:

  • are an emerging writer or journalist aged between 25 and 40 years
  • have a track record of publications (one or more publications)
  • propose travel to non-English speaking and / or developing countries.

Fellowship requests must be for:

  • immersion within another culture by living and/or working for the benefit of the recipient’s writing
  • overseas travel between 1 January and 31 December of the calendar year following request.
    • travel outside New Zealand, for up to six months.

In addition to the supporting documents required for any fellowship, requests for a Winston Churchill McNeish Writers Fellowship must include a writing sample.

A Winston Churchill McNeish Writers Fellowship is offered every second year. The next one will be offered in 2019 for travel in 2020.

Applications for Fellowships are made online. To apply click on this link, then follow the instructions to make a request.

Winston Churchill New Zealand China Friendship Society Fellowship

In partnership with the New Zealand China Friendship Society, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust offers a specialised fellowship for travel to China to gain knowledge, understanding and experience of Chinese culture and values and share New Zealand culture and values in China, for the benefit of an occupation, trade or profession, or to benefit New Zealand through the creation or deepening of New Zealand-China relations.

The Winston Churchill New Zealand China Friendship Society Fellowship is available every second year. Requests must be for short term (up to 3 months) travel in China in the calendar year following the award of the fellowship.

Applicants must be actively involved in an occupation, activities or field of interest which will benefit from fostering relationships and building knowledge and understanding of China New Zealand relations.

The application must show how the travel will enhance an applicant’s understanding and competence in their occupation, activities or field of interest and will build friendships and understanding of New Zealand-China relations. The request should show:

  • how your proposed fellowship project will benefit New Zealand-China relations and enhance your life and work 
  • how you will share your fellowship experience and the knowledge gained with others. 

There are no additional supporting document requirements.

A Winston Churchill New Zealand China Friendship Society Fellowship is offered every second year. The next one will be offered in 2019 for travel in 2020.

Applications for Fellowships are made online. To apply click on this link, then follow the instructions to make a request for funding.

Winston Churchill ANZOG Fellowship

For the first time, in 2019, the Trust, alongside the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG), is offering a Winston Churchill ANZSOG Fellowship.

It will be awarded in 2019 for travel in 2020 and will enable a Māori who is a permanent member of the New Zealand public service to travel overseas for up to 6 weeks to study public sector practices which lead to positive outcomes for indigenous communities to inform the delivery of positive outcomes for tangata whenua in New Zealand.

In addition to the supporting documents required for any fellowship, requests for a Winston Churchill ANZSOG Fellowship must include two letters of support – one from the applicant’s iwi, and one from the applicant’s Chief Executive. 

Applicants may apply for up to $12,000, and do not need to contribute to the cost of the travel.

Applications for Fellowships are made online. To apply, click on the link below: