The John Smith Fellowship Programme covers the following areas:

			Leadership styles and practices
			Citizenship, law and rights
			Civil society and public opinion
			Policy delivery and Public accountability in government, business and public life.

Detailed information is provided in the corresponding section of our website.

John Smith was the leader of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom at the time of his sudden death in May 1994.  He was widely respected as a powerful advocate for the principles and practices of democracy. The John Smith Trust was created to commemorate John Smith's ideals by spreading understanding of how to put them into practice.

You should fill the application form and email to applications@johnsmithtrust.org. Applications for the 2011 Programme must be:

			the completed application form
			an up to date CV
			a colour digital passport sized photo

These three items should be emailed to applications@johnsmithtrust.org. Only short listed candidates will be asked to provide 2 written references, original or notarised copies of all university transcripts. Successful interviewees may be asked to sit IELTS test at the end of January 2011.

When submitting your application please include details of where you heard about the Fellowship Programme.

General notes on writing the statement of purpose

This is the most important part of the application form. With your statement of purpose you can persuade the selection committee to accept you for interview. In order to convince them, you must be convinced yourself. You must be sure of what you want, why you want it and how this particular programme will help you.

Before beginning to write, review your intellectual and personal development over your academic and professional career so far. In answering the questions of the application form, explain why you wish to study in the UK, stating clearly the professional reasons for your proposed course of study, as this is the main point of interest. Try to demonstrate clearly how your professional development and future career will be enhanced by studying in the UK. What will it enable you to do better in the future?  Do not give any unnecessary information!

It is a good idea not to write on the application form immediately. Develop an outline first, then write a draft proposal and examine it thoroughly.

The processing of all application will take place after the deadline. After the short listing, the successful candidates will be invited for the interview.

Where possible and practical the Trust will be conducting interviews via web based video conference call facilities this year. Please be prepared to be interviewed in this manner. Applicants should be aware that local interviews will take place during January and February 2011, and should bear this in mind when planning holidays/travel.

After the interview successful candidates may be asked to sit IELTS test at British Council. The exam costs will be covered by the candidate.

There are no additional allowances granted to family members (partners, spouses, children or other dependants). If any members of your family wish to accompany you, they must have enough funding to meet all their living expenses.

However, it is strongly recommended NOT to bring your family members to the UK during the period of your fellowship. The period of study is very intense and it is important that you are able to give it your full attention.