Churchill Fellowship 2027 Admissions: Apply by 20 October 2026
Have you spotted a problem in your UK community or workplace and wondered whether another country has already found a better approach? The Churchill Fellowship can fund you to investigate that approach and bring useful ideas back to the UK. Applications for 2027 are open until 20 October 2026.
You do not need a degree. You need an eligible citizenship and residence status, relevant experience and a clear idea of who your learning could help.
Work Through Your Application Using This Guide Article
Before You Plan a Trip, Can You Apply?
You can apply if you meet all three citizenship, residence and age requirements in the box above. Living in the UK on a work or student visa alone does not qualify you. Equally, being a UK citizen living overseas does not meet the residence rule.
Do you lack academic qualifications? That need not hold you back. Explain what your work, community involvement or personal experience has taught you about the problem. Only individuals can apply, and previous Churchill Fellows cannot receive another Fellowship.
What Would You Explore—and Who Would Benefit?
Choose a specific UK problem, then identify overseas people or organisations you could learn from. Start with the change you want to make.
For example, if you support unpaid carers, you might investigate how overseas services give carers practical support, then propose a way to adapt that approach locally. This is an illustrative project idea; your own proposal must demonstrate a real need and achievable action.
Your idea could fit care, education, health, arts, technology, climate or another current programme. The Open option accommodates other suitable proposals. Ordinary degree courses, internships and student grants are excluded; postgraduate study needs demonstrable wider practical benefits in the UK.
Can You Afford the Learning Period?
The grant is calculated for your project rather than paid as a fixed monthly stipend. It aims to cover approved travel, accommodation, food, insurance, visas and vaccinations. Interpreters, personal assistants and conference fees may be supported case by case.
Cannot spend several weeks abroad because of caring or work commitments? Consider online learning with overseas practitioners or a hybrid approach. The four-to-eight-week learning period need not be one continuous block. Online research must involve active international engagement; a literature review alone is insufficient.
Ready to Apply? Build Your Answers in This Order
Make each answer show what you will learn, why you can use it and how others will benefit.
- Open the application guidance. Choose the programme closest to your idea and a project title within 100 characters.
- Draft four answers, each within 1,500 characters: the UK change needed, your relevant experience, why those overseas destinations and how you will use the findings. Name people, places and intended actions where possible.
- Ask two suitable referees before entering their details. Each must have known you well for at least a year and understand your work or community involvement; family members or merely friends cannot serve.
- Complete the 2027 online application, save regularly, review and click Confirm. Keep the confirmation email. You may submit one application this year.
If shortlisted in February 2027, you will provide further details and a budget, and your referees will be contacted. Interviews follow in April/May; award decisions arrive in June. Successful applicants can begin learning from 1 August 2027.
Application deadline: The last date to apply for the Churchill Fellowship 2027 is 20 October 2026 at midday UK time. Submit before that time; late applications are not considered.