A Churchill Fellowship is a remarkable opportunity to travel overseas for a minimum of four and a maximum of about eight weeks to conduct research into a topic that you are passionate about. It is for anyone who feels that they have exhausted all research opportunities within Australia and would like to see what overseas currently has to offer. Every application is assessed based on merit, a demonstrated need for the proposed research, the perceived benefit to Australia and a willingness to share the overseas findings and knowledge with the Australian community.

Over forty sponsored Fellowships are offered each year. A sponsored Fellowship carries the same conditions as any Churchill Fellowship except that the topic is usually confined to a specific field of endeavour eg. “The Dame Roma Mitchell Churchill Fellowship for excellence in the performing arts”. Some sponsored Fellowships are only for award in a particular State, Territory or region and the number of sponsored Fellowships offered changes each year.

Any Australian Citizen over the age of 18 can apply provided they can demonstrate a suitable level of achievement in the field of the proposed project.

No. Fellowships are awarded to Australian Citizens only.

Applications open on 1 November each year and close on the last business day of February in the following year.

You must be over 18 at the time of application. There is no upper age limit for the award of a Churchill Fellowship however demonstrated ability for future achievement in and contribution to your particular field is taken into consideration.

No. The award of a Churchill Fellowship implies recognition of past achievement and demonstrated ability for future achievement in the field of the proposed project.

No. Fellowships are not awarded to enable the applicant to gain or contribute towards any tertiary qualifications.

No. A Fellowship will not be awarded to enable an applicant to work overseas.

No. There are no academic or tertiary qualifications required in order to apply for a Fellowship.

Yes provided that your proposed project is not directly related to your tertiary studies and you can demonstrate past achievement in the field of the proposed project.

No. Only one Churchill Fellowship per lifetime!

No. You cannot apply for funding for a project that you have already embarked on.

Yes. However you must be available to personally attend an interview (or interviews) in Australia at any time during March and April. Also if successful, your Fellowship should commence from Australia and you must return to Australia upon completion of your Fellowship.

No. Interview schedules are set by each State and Territory and must be adhered to. If you can’t make an interview you may be asked to reapply in a future year.

No. Churchill Fellowships are for overseas travel only.

The amount of money awarded for every Fellowship is different as it is calculated based on the number of countries visited, the duration of the approved Fellowship and an estimated airfare. The average is currently about $25,000.

No. Employers usually continue salary for Churchill Fellows while they are on their Fellowship.

Yes. Final selections are made in late June of each year and successful applicants can travel from 1 September in the year of award.

The duration of a Fellowship must be a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of approximately eight weeks. Additional time spent overseas is allowed but time outside the approved duration of the Fellowship will be at the applicant’s own expense.

No. Where you go and what you do is entirely your responsibility. The project and itinerary must be completed on your original application for a Fellowship.

Not on initial application but you will be required to provide this if you are successful.

No. Fellowships are awarded to individuals only.

No. You may only submit one application per year in the State or Territory where you reside. If you are not successful you can reapply in future years.

No. The closing date is absolute. The selection process follows a strict time line and no late applications are accepted for any reason.

Every year varies slightly but nationally the Trust typically receives close to 1,200 applications per year and awards around 100 Fellowships per year.

If successful you must depart on the Fellowship during the 12 months from 1 September in the year of award until 31 August of the following year. In some circumstances Fellowships may be deferred at the discretion of the Trust.