Churchill Scholarship

Award information

The Churchill Scholarship provides funding to American students for a year of Master’s study in science, mathematics, and engineering at the University of Cambridge, based at Churchill College. The Scholarship was set up at the request of Sir Winston Churchill in order to fulfill his vision of US-UK scientific exchange with the goal of advancing science and technology on both sides of the Atlantic, helping to ensure our future prosperity and security. Churchill is the only college at Cambridge (or Oxford, for that matter) that is focused on STEM subjects.

Eligibility

• U.S. citizen
• Enrolled seniors or alums who have graduated within the past 12 months
• Bachelor’s degree by the start of grant period

Selection Criteria

• Outstanding achievement, especially in the major, as indicated by course grades. The Foundation does not require a minimum GPA, but recent Churchill Scholars have had a GPA of at least 3.7 and usually higher.
• A capacity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics by pursuing original, creative work at an advanced level as demonstrated by awards, prizes, research, and letters of recommendation.
• Applicants in the sciences and engineering will demonstrate extensive laboratory experience, internships, or other related work, while applicants in mathematics will show substantial independent work or other projects.
• Outstanding personal qualities. Understanding the time commitment required by research, the Churchill Foundation does not seek so-called ‘well rounded’ applicants; instead, it seeks applicants with what they call interesting ‘jagged edges.’ Nonetheless, it should be noted that successful applicants often display talents outside of academic pursuits.

Application information

Applicants must apply for institutional nomination.

1. Complete the brief Intent to Apply questionnaire by July 1.  This signals your serious interest in the opportunity and opens up our channels of communication and support.

The following materials should be organized and submitted by Friday, October 3, 2025 12 noon.

1. Churchill application. Complete the Churchill’s online application, including the Proposed Plan of Study (1 page) and the Personal Statement (2 pages). Consider carefully the formatting and content guidance and instructions presented in the online application. Submit your application. If you are endorsed, your application can be “un-submitted” for continued editing leading up to the Nov 1 national deadline.
2. Transcript. Unofficial is fine for the internal review.
3. Four letters of recommendation. Four academic recommendations from faculty, laboratory directors, and others with whom you have pursued your research and studies and who know your work well. Two of those letters should come from professors, PIs, mentors, etc.  who know you well in a research or lab setting.  Recommenders should email their signed letters on university/organizational letterhead directly to bufellow@bu.edu by the BU internal deadline. Letters should be written to the “Churchill Scholarship Selection Committee.” Instructions to writers are available here.

For important guidance on the above materials and degree course selection, please carefully review Churchill’s Instructions and Guidelines for Applicants.

Applicants must apply separately for admission to Cambridge University by early-October. We recommend applying by the same deadline as Gates Cambridge, normally early-October. The Churchill Scholarship is only for a Master’s degree, and the application must be for a Master’s for the applicant to be eligible for the Scholarship. Applicants must designate Churchill College as their first choice on the Cambridge application.