Churchill Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens
• Be current Harvard College seniors or alumni within one year of graduation
• Demonstrate outstanding achievement in science, mathematics, or engineering
• Apply to an eligible graduate program at the University of Cambridge
• Designate Churchill College as their first-choice college on the Cambridge application
• Receive Harvard’s endorsement for nomination to the Churchill Foundation competition

Harvard may nominate up to two applicants each year for national consideration by the Winston Churchill Foundation.

Applicants should review the Churchill Foundation’s current eligibility requirements and approved programs of study before applying.

At least fourteen Churchill Scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarship is valued at approximately $50,000–$60,000, depending on the exchange rate.

The award provides funding for one year of postgraduate study and research at Churchill College, Cambridge, including:

• All University and College tuition and fees
• Living allowance
• Travel allowance of up to $1,500
• Reimbursement of the UK visa application fee and health surcharge

Scholars may also apply for a Special Research Grant of up to $2,000 to support activities such as conference travel, short-term research visits, and other research-related opportunities.

The scholarship is tenable for 9–12 months depending on the academic program.

Harvard’s nomination process seeks applicants with exceptional potential for advanced scientific research and scholarship.

Selection is based primarily on:

• Outstanding academic achievement in science, engineering, or mathematics
• Significant research experience and demonstrated potential for original scientific work
• Strong preparation for advanced study in the proposed field
• Exceptional recommendations from faculty and research mentors
• Personal qualities demonstrating intellectual curiosity, initiative, and commitment to research

Successful applicants typically have exceptional academic records. While the Churchill Foundation does not require a minimum GPA, recent Churchill Scholars have generally earned GPAs of at least 3.7, with many above 3.9.

The Churchill Foundation seeks students with the capacity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge through original, creative work at an advanced level. Applicants in the sciences and engineering are generally expected to demonstrate substantial laboratory research experience, internships, or related work. Applicants in mathematics typically demonstrate significant independent study or research projects.

The Foundation also values applicants with distinctive intellectual engagement and meaningful commitments beyond the classroom and laboratory. Rather than seeking traditionally “well-rounded” applicants, the Churchill Foundation looks for students with strong academic focus and distinctive strengths or accomplishments.

Applications for nomination are reviewed by a faculty selection committee broadly trained across science, engineering, and mathematics. Harvard may nominate up to two applicants each year for national consideration by the Winston Churchill Foundation.

Applicants must submit the Churchill Scholarship application through the Churchill Foundation application portal by the Harvard campus nomination deadline.

The application is designed to assess the applicant’s academic preparation, research experience, and readiness for advanced scientific study at Cambridge.

All materials are due by our internal deadline. Applicants will submit:

• An applicant information form detailing academic background, research experience, activities, and accomplishments
• A Proposed Program of Study statement describing the intended Cambridge degree program and academic objectives
• An Academic and Research History statement describing prior research experience, intellectual development, and preparation for advanced study
• A current unofficial transcript
• Four letters of recommendation from faculty members and research mentors
• Correspondence with a prospective Cambridge research supervisor, if required by the proposed program

Applicants should carefully review the Churchill Foundation’s eligible Cambridge degree programs before applying. Proposed programs of study must align with the Foundation’s approved programs.

For research-based programs, applicants are generally expected to contact prospective Cambridge research supervisors well in advance of the application deadline. Some programs require evidence that a faculty member is willing to supervise the proposed research project. MASt programs in mathematics do not require supervisor correspondence.

Letters of recommendation are requested and submitted through the Churchill Scholarship application portal. Applicants are encouraged to contact recommenders well in advance of the deadline to ensure timely submission. Applicants selected for Harvard nomination will finalize and submit the national Churchill Scholarship application to the Winston Churchill Foundation in November. Applicants are also responsible for separately applying for admission to the University of Cambridge by the University’s graduate admissions deadline.