| News
Overseas research grants available for new ideas for
improving rural life
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust are offering overseas research grants available to all UK citizens to support new
ideas for improving rural life in the UK. These have been launched in response to the growing pressures on rural
communities, in a period of change that includes the challenges brought by Brexit.
new category of
Churchill
Fellowships will be
devoted to ‘Rural
living:
strengthening
countryside communities’. These
are travel grants that fund
individuals to research innovative
ideas and best practice overseas,
then bring their global insights
back to the UK and make change
happen in their professions and
communities. Fellowships are
available in 12 fields of interest
overall, including the Rural Living
category.
Julia Weston, Chief Executive of
the Winston Churchill Memorial
Trust, said:
“Rural communities and
economies are currently going
through a period of great change,
and face a huge range of
challenges, as well as
opportunities, especially in light of
Brexit. In March the House of
A
www.farmingmonthly.co.uk
Lords select committee on rural
communities reported that some of
the worst spots for deprivation and
intergenerational poverty are in the
countryside. We’re looking for new
ideas that can help to tackle that.
These Churchill Fellowships will
fund people who are inspired to
seek new solutions for rural life
and keen to make change
happen.”
The Rural Living category is the
result of a partnership between the
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
and The Prince's Countryside
Fund. It will fund Fellowships
exploring wide-ranging
approaches to a range of rural
issues, such as invigorating
transport networks, rethinking
housing and planning, boosting
employment and enterprise, and
improving access to education,
culture and healthcare.
Claire Saunders, Director of The
Prince’s Countryside Fund, said:
“We are delighted to be working
with the Winston Churchill
Memorial Trust. Their Fellowships
offer a wonderful chance at a time
of great change, for people to
undertake grass roots research
into ways of regenerating rural
communities, and importantly it
also provides a platform for people
to share their vital findings.
Whoever you are, these
Fellowships are a chance for
everyone to research and share
their findings.”
Churchill Fellows are funded to
research new ideas overseas for 4-
8 weeks, in topics and countries of
their own choice, with the intent of
gaining fresh perspectives and
insights that can make a difference
to their community or profession
back home. Examples of past
Fellows who have explored rural
issues are here.
Applications are now open and
can be made online at
www.wcmt.org.uk.
Deadline for applications is 18
September 2018.
“Rural communities and
economies are currently going
through a period of great
change, and face a huge range
of challenges, as well as
opportunities, especially in light
of Brexit”
Everyone can apply for a
Churchill Fellowship, regardless of
age, background or qualifications,
so long as they are a UK citizen
aged 18 or over. To apply, or for
more details, visit
www.wcmt.org.uk. Deadline for
applications is 18 September 2018
for travel in 2019.
June 2018 | Farming Monthly | 07