MP Urges Constituents to Compete for Trust Awards

“Winston Churchill has a long and colourful history with the banks of the Tay,” said the MP, “and it would be excellent to see a constituent from Perth and North Perthshire being awarded this prestigious opportunity both to travel and to benefit Perthshire.
“The Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to travel overseas and explore areas of mutual interest. Many of the 4000 Fellows to date have reported that the Award has opened doors that otherwise would have remained firmly shut. For many the experience has been truly life changing."
He continued: “The Fellowships are to enable men and women, from all walks of life and every corner of the UK to acquire knowledge and experience abroad. In the process they gain a better understanding of the lives and cultures of people overseas and, on their return, their expertise is enhanced greatly, as is their effectiveness at work and their contribution to the community.
“I would be delighted to support any of my constituents who are considering entering their cause,” added the MP.

Categories
Among the categories this year are;
Science and Technology. Applications are sought from a wide spectrum of interests in Science & Technology.
Adventure, Exploration and Leaders of Expeditions (To avoid disappointment, team members of expeditions should not apply).
Young People. If you are under 25 on 31 December 2008, the Trust will support projects, including sporting activities, that encourage personal development, as well as benefiting your community.
Caring for the Elderly in Hospitals, Residential Homes and Rehabilitation Centres, including medical practitioners, social services, policy makers, owners, and other staff.
Animal Welfare. Proposals are invited from field workers, countryside rangers, veterinarians and others involved in the field of Animal Welfare.
Recruitment and Use of Volunteers in the Community.
Training and Retention of Teachers, including trainers, teachers and policy makers.
Making a Living in the Countryside. The Trust is anxious to hear from a very broad spectrum of those involved in any form of business in our countryside.
Rehabilitation of Offenders, including, but not limited to: workers in the Probation, Prison, Charity and Mental Health Services, together with Educationalists, Employers and Criminologists.
Craft Workers and Teachers involved in the Built Environment.
One award in the field of History.

Criteria
Applicants do not require formal educational or professional qualifications and are considered for individual projects only; joint or group applications will not be accepted.
The Trust cannot award grants for attending courses or academic studies, nor for student grants; this includes ‘electives’, degree ‘placements’ and ‘post-graduate’ studies, and applications under the guise of a ‘gap’ year will not normally be considered.
The Trust generally prefers to award Fellowships to people unlikely to obtain funding from other sources. In particular, it looks for those to whom the opportunity represents the ‘Chance of a Lifetime’.
Grants will usually cover a stay overseas of between 4 to 8 weeks (longer periods may be considered). Applications for less than 4 weeks will not be considered.
Projects must enable British Citizens to acquire knowledge that will make them more effective in their work, while enriching themselves, their communities and, ultimately, the United Kingdom as a whole.
The closing date for applications this year is: 16 October
More details can be found at http://www.wcmt.org.uk/