Our approach
Our approach
Introduction
The Fellowship promotes change in every area of society. We achieve this through our approach to grantmaking, which is universal and inclusive.
"The most far-reaching, visionary initiative I've ever heard of." - Jenny Kendall-Tobias, BBC
Universal grants
We offer grants within a comprehensive framework of universal and annual themes, which allows us to address all areas of society while also focusing on topical trends and issues.
Our eight universal themes cover every aspect of modern life. They are:
- Arts and culture.
- Community and citizenship.
- Economy and enterprise.
- Education and skills.
- Environment and resources.
- Governance and public provision.
- Health and wellbeing.
- Science and technology.
Within these, we also evolve a topical series of 10-12 annual themes, which focus more closely on current trends and issues. These are refreshed regularly by our Advisory Council, who are experts in their fields.
Our current annual themes are:
- Arts and communities.
- Caring for our natural environment.
- Children and young people in care.
- Climate change.
- Education in schools.
- Palliative and end of life care.
- Physical activity for healthier lives.
- Resilient economies and communities.
- Rural communities.
- Suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.
- Tech for all.
An annual theme usually lasts for three years and creates a cohort of approximately 30 Fellows who are addressing the same issue, often from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. They become a network for collaboration and momentum in their area, and their collective learnings are published as a public resource.
We also offer Fellowships within our Open theme, provided that it fits our general criteria.
Inclusive grants
The Fellowship is open to all UK adult citizens, regardless of their background, qualifications or age. We prioritise people and projects from under-represented and under-funded groups, and those who would not receive funding from other sources.
Fellows may bring professional knowledge or personal experience of the issue they wish to address. These provide powerful insight and authority in their topic.
Fellows define their own Fellowship topics within our broad themes and pursue their own vision for change in that field. We select Fellows who have the commitment and courage to do this, and we assess their success on their own terms. We believe in the potential of the individual to lead the change they wish to see.
Fellows are funded to research their topics with practitioners anywhere in the world that they choose. This enables them to access the key expertise and evidence for their topics.
A unique model for change
This approach has created a unique and effective model for change. The Fellowship offers inspiring individuals the funding, recognition and support to unlock their ideas and pursue a cause that is often their life’s mission.
The result is a community of committed individuals addressing society’s most pressing challenges – locally, nationally and increasingly globally.
"The most far-reaching, visionary initiative I've ever heard of." - Jenny Kendall-Tobias, BBC
Universal grants
We offer grants within a comprehensive framework of universal and annual themes, which allows us to address all areas of society while also focusing on topical trends and issues.
Our eight universal themes cover every aspect of modern life. They are:
- Arts and culture.
- Community and citizenship.
- Economy and enterprise.
- Education and skills.
- Environment and resources.
- Governance and public provision.
- Health and wellbeing.
- Science and technology.
Within these, we also evolve a topical series of 10-12 annual themes, which focus more closely on current trends and issues. These are refreshed regularly by our Advisory Council, who are experts in their fields.
Our current annual themes are:
- Arts and communities.
- Caring for our natural environment.
- Children and young people in care.
- Climate change.
- Education in schools.
- Palliative and end of life care.
- Physical activity for healthier lives.
- Resilient economies and communities.
- Rural communities.
- Suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.
- Tech for all.
An annual theme usually lasts for three years and creates a cohort of approximately 30 Fellows who are addressing the same issue, often from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. They become a network for collaboration and momentum in their area, and their collective learnings are published as a public resource.
We also offer Fellowships within our Open theme, provided that it fits our general criteria.
Inclusive grants
The Fellowship is open to all UK adult citizens, regardless of their background, qualifications or age. We prioritise people and projects from under-represented and under-funded groups, and those who would not receive funding from other sources.
Fellows may bring professional knowledge or personal experience of the issue they wish to address. These provide powerful insight and authority in their topic.
Fellows define their own Fellowship topics within our broad themes and pursue their own vision for change in that field. We select Fellows who have the commitment and courage to do this, and we assess their success on their own terms. We believe in the potential of the individual to lead the change they wish to see.
Fellows are funded to research their topics with practitioners anywhere in the world that they choose. This enables them to access the key expertise and evidence for their topics.
A unique model for change
This approach has created a unique and effective model for change. The Fellowship offers inspiring individuals the funding, recognition and support to unlock their ideas and pursue a cause that is often their life’s mission.
The result is a community of committed individuals addressing society’s most pressing challenges – locally, nationally and increasingly globally.