The Selection Process

The purpose of this outline is to give applicants background information on the processing of their application. The composition of Committees and Panels discussed in this outline will vary from State to State as will the timings described.

Regional Committees

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust in Australia is represented in each State and Territory by a Regional Committee and in some instances also Panels which are responsible for assessing all applications received in that State or Territory. The Committees typically consist of a Chairman and 6-10 members who come from a diverse range of backgrounds with expertise across many fields.

Assessment Process

Applications open from 1 November each year. Every application that is received is acknowledged via a receipt card that is either posted or emailed to the applicant. During March every application is initially assessed by the appropriate Panel or Committee. Panel and Committee members are free to make any enquiries and consult with whoever they consider necessary in making their assessments.

Assessment is based on, but is not limited to, the following criteria:

• the ability of the applicant and project to make a difference to the Australian community or their chosen field of expertise;
• the ability of the applicant to communicate what they have learnt to the widest possible audience upon their return;
• merit of the proposal;
• the personal attributes of the applicant;

and

• the extent to which overseas travel is required for the project.

Consideration is also given to proportional representation across the community in line with the Trust’s primary objective of ensuring that Fellowships are available to a broad range of Australian Citizens from all possible fields.

Short-listing Process

Based on the initial assessment applicants are short-listed for interview.

The Regional Secretary is responsible for contacting those applicants short-listed for interview to arrange suitable interview times. In some States and Territories applicants will be required to provide the Panel or Committee with a brief CV and any other project information requested.

It is essential that the applicant is contactable at all times and it would be wise to make alternative arrangements if an applicant is likely to be away from their normal place of work or residence as detailed on their application form.

Applicants who have not been selected for an interview will be notified as soon as possible.

The Interviews

For short-listed applicants, the exact timing, duration and number of interviews varies in each State and Territory. Some States and Territories may require applicants to attend two interviews. All interviews must be attended in person by the applicant and anyone unable to attend an interview will be advised to apply again the following year. Interviews will be scheduled as early as possible and may be conducted any time from mid March to the end of April including weekends.

After the interviews are completed, applicants are ranked in order of preference by the Committee to determine the nominations for Fellowships that will be forwarded to the National Office. Upon finalisation of these nominations all applicants interviewed will be advised if their application is progressing to the National Office for further consideration.

Selection of Churchill Fellows

The Trust’s Board of Directors meets in Canberra in late June each year to consider the nominations submitted by each State and Territory. The number of Fellowships on offer varies slightly from year to year and it is expected that for the 2012 round there will be about 100 Fellowships available nationally.

The selection of Churchill Fellows and the procedures undertaken are at the absolute discretion of the Board of the Trust.

At the conclusion of the Board Meeting all applicants will be notified of the outcome by mail from the National Office and successful 2012 Fellows will have their details made available to the media and sponsors as the Trust deems necessary.

Successful Fellows should be aware that media contact may occur any time after late June. It would be advisable that if successful, you are easy to contact to capitalise on the announcement of your Fellowship within the media.

Unsuccessful Applicants

Applicants may be advised as unsuccessful at the following stages of the selection process:

• After consideration at the Regional level. The Regional Secretary will advise these unsuccessful applicants about mid May.
• Other applicants considered in the National selections but unsuccessful will be advised by the National Office in late June.