FAQ
- What is a Churchill Fellowship?
- What is a sponsored Churchill Fellowship?
- Who can apply?
- I don't hold permanent residency status in Australia – can I still apply?
- When can I apply and when do applications close?
- Am I too old/too young?
- I've just finished secondary school/year 12/HSC - can I apply for a Fellowship?
- Can I use the Fellowship to obtain tertiary qualifications?
- Can I get a Fellowship to gain work experience overseas eg. an internship?
- Do I need any qualifications to apply for a Fellowship?
- If I am studying at a tertiary institution can I still apply?
- I am already a Churchill Fellow – can I apply again?
- I have already started the project I am applying for - is that okay?
- I am already overseas can I still apply?
- If I am called for interview (or interviews) but can’t make it can I be interviewed at an alternative time?
- Can I apply for funding to complete a project within Australia?
- How much is a Fellowship worth?
- Will you pay my salary while I am away?
- Can I travel in the year of application?
- How long can I go for?
- Will you tell me where to go and what to do?
- Do I need a firm commitment from people I wish to see overseas?
- Can I apply for a Fellowship with someone else or as a group? Can a company apply?
- Can I submit more than one application?
- Can I put in a late application?
- What are my chances of success?
- If I am successful how long do I have to complete the Fellowship?
- What advice do you have for unsuccessful applicants?
1. What is a Churchill Fellowship?
A Churchill Fellowship is a remarkable opportunity to travel overseas for a minimum of four and a maximum of about eight weeks to investigate a topic that you are passionate about and have experience in. It is for anyone who feels that they have exhausted 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 project, the perceived benefit to Australia and a willingness to share the overseas findings and knowledge with the Australian community.
2. What is a sponsored Churchill Fellowship?
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.
3. Who can apply?
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 and they are not currently enrolled in tertiary studies that closely relate to their overseas project.
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4. I hold permanent residency status in Australia – can I still apply?
No. Fellowships are awarded to Australian Citizens only.
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5. When can I apply and when do applications close?
Applications open on 1 February 2020 and close 30 April 2020.
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6. Am I too old/too young?
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.
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7. I've just finished secondary school/year 12/HSC - can I apply for a Fellowship?
In most cases, 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.
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8. Can I use the Fellowship to obtain tertiary qualifications?
No. Fellowships are not awarded to enable the applicant to gain or contribute towards any tertiary qualifications.
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9. Can I get a Fellowship to gain work experience overseas eg. an internship?
No. A Fellowship will not be awarded to enable an applicant to work overseas.
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10. Do I need any qualifications to apply for a Fellowship?
No. There are no academic or tertiary qualifications required in order to apply for a Fellowship.
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11. If I am studying at a tertiary institution can I still apply?
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.
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12. I am already a Churchill Fellow – can I apply again?
No. Only one Churchill Fellowship per lifetime!
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13. I have already started the project I am applying for - is that okay?
No. You cannot apply for funding for a project that you have already embarked on.
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14. I am already overseas can I still apply?
Yes. However, you must be available to personally attend an interview (or interviews) in Australia at any time in June and July. Also if successful, your Fellowship should commence from Australia and you must return to Australia upon completion of your Fellowship.
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15. If I am called for interview (or interviews) but can’t make it can I be interviewed at an alternative time?
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.
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16. Can I apply for funding to complete a project within Australia?
No. Churchill Fellowships are for overseas travel only.
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17. How much is a Fellowship worth?
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 well in excess of $28,000.
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18. Will you pay my salary while I’m away?
No. Employers usually continue salary for Churchill Fellows while they are on their Fellowship.
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19. Can I travel in the year of application?
In 2020, final selections will be announced mid-September. Successful applicants can travel from 1 February 2021.
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20. How long can I go for?
The duration of a Fellowship must be a minimum of four weeks and is generally 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.
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21. Will you tell me where to go and what to do?
No. Where you go and what you do is entirely your responsibility. The project and itinerary must be completed within your original application for a Fellowship.
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22. Do I need a firm commitment from people I wish to see overseas?
Not on initial application but you will be required to provide this if you are successful.
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23. Can I apply for a Fellowship with someone else or as a group? Can a company apply?
No. Fellowships are awarded to individuals only.
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24. Can I submit more than one application?
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.
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25. Can I put in a late application?
No. The closing date is absolute. The selection process follows a strict timeline and no late applications are accepted for any reason.
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26. What are my chances of success?
Every year varies slightly but nationally the Trust typically receives close to 1,000 applications per year and awards around 100 Fellowships per year. The 1 in 10 are awarded.
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27. If I am successful how long do I have to complete the Fellowship?
If successful you should depart on the Fellowship during the 12 months from 1 February 2020 until 31 January 2021. In some circumstances, Fellowships may be deferred at the discretion of the Trust.
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28. What advice do you have for unsuccessful applicants?
If your Fellowship application was unsuccessful we encourage you to read through the following advice and consider applying again in a future round.