Churchill Fellowships open with democracy strand
Howard Lake | 4 September 2026 | News
Applications for 2027 Churchill Fellowships opened on 1 September, and include a new programme for people with ideas to strengthen civic and democratic engagement across the UK.
A response to low trust in institutions
The Churchill Fellowship says its new Civic and Democratic Engagement programme comes at a time of low trust in institutions, and of concern that many people feel disconnected from decision-making.
It will fund individuals to explore approaches around the world that help people have a genuine say in decisions affecting them, widening participation and making institutions more open and responsive. It is open both to people working inside institutions and to those working in communities.
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How the Fellowships work
The Churchill Fellowship funds more than 100 UK citizens each year to spend four to eight weeks learning from leading practitioners worldwide, either in person or online. No qualifications are required, and Fellows come from all backgrounds and sectors. Applicants must be UK citizens aged 18 or over and living in the UK.
Applications close on 20 October 2026.
Nine programmes open for 2027
Alongside the new civic and democratic strand, applications are open for:
- Tech for All
- Climate Change
- Caring for our Natural Environment
- Promoting Lifelong Health
- Supporting Engagement in Education
- Building a Society that Cares
- Building Prosperous
- Resilient Economies
- and Making Space for the Arts.
Julia Weston, chief executive of the Churchill Fellowship, said:
“In a fast-changing world, there is something hugely encouraging about people who are prepared to look outwards, learn from others and turn new ideas into practical action in the UK.”
She added that the new programme was “particularly timely”, saying:
“We hope it will support people with practical ideas for helping ensure more voices are heard and enable them to explore new ways to strengthen participation and build greater trust in public life.”
For charity staff, this is one of the few funded opportunities that pays for individuals rather than organisations, and asks for an idea rather than a track record.
Set up in 1965 as the living legacy of Sir Winston Churchill for the nation, the Churchill Fellowship is the operating name of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
- Mark Astarita Fellowship launches to support more people into the sector (17 September 2024)
- National Trust launches £7.1 million Churchill appeal (13 September 2016)
- Churchill link sees Bank of England parner with Haven House children’s hospice (2 December 2016)
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.