Marshall Scholarship
Intent to Apply Deadline: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Endorsement Application Deadline: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Marshall Scholarships support one or (most commonly) two years of postgraduate study at any university in the United Kingdom.
The Scholarships are intended to enable intellectually distinguished young Americans, their country’s future leaders, to study in the UK, to gain an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain, and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences, and the creative arts at Britain’s centres of academic excellence. They also seek to motivate Scholars to act as ambassadors between the United States and the United Kingdom throughout their lives, strengthening British-American understanding, while supporting the personal and academic fulfillment of each Scholar.
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements established by the Marshall Scholarship.
Applicants must:
- be citizens of the United States at the time of application
- hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States by the start of the Scholarship
- have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.7 at the time of application
- have graduated no more than two years prior to the start of the Scholarship
Applicants must also be endorsed by Harvard in order to apply.
Students should review the official Marshall Scholarship eligibility criteria and Rules for Candidates carefully.
The Scholarship provides full tuition and a living stipend for one to three years (most commonly two) of postgraduate study at any university in the United Kingdom.
Scholars may pursue a wide range of degree programmes and are able to apply to multiple institutions and courses, subject to the rules of the Scholarship and the requirements of their chosen programmes.
Approximately 50 Marshall Scholarships are awarded each year to students across the United States.
Applicants are expected to be familiar with the selection criteria established by the Marshall Scholarship, which are outlined on the Marshall Scholarship website.
At a broad level, selection is based on:
- Academic Merit, including the appropriateness of the proposed course of study, mastery of academic content, and evidence of academic excellence
- Leadership Potential, including demonstrated impact and influence, creativity, and interpersonal effectiveness
- Ambassadorial Potential, including the ability to represent the United States and engage meaningfully with communities in the United Kingdom
The Harvard Endorsement Committee evaluates applications with reference to these criteria, considering the full range of materials submitted, including academic record, essays, resume, and letters of recommendation. The Endorsement Committee is composed of senior faculty across the University.
Strong applications present a clear and well-considered academic plan that builds on prior study and preparation. Do not propose programs for which you don’t meet the basic qualifications or programs which are not funded by the Marshall Scholarship.
Marshall Scholarship endorsements and national selection rounds are highly competitive. Each university may endorse up to 24 candidates per year.
The Committee selects applicants to endorse in early September. Endorsed applicants submit a full application to the Marshall Scholarship. Finalists are invited to interview in November and awards are made shortly thereafter.
Applicants must apply for Harvard’s endorsement via the Harvard University Funding Portal (linked below).
- Current students use HarvardKey to login to the Portal and access the Intent to Apply
- Recent alumni "Create a New Account" to access the Intent to Apply
Applicants whose applications are endorsed proceed to the national Marshall competition. Finalists are invited to interview, and Scholarships are awarded following the interview process.
To apply for Harvard’s endorsement, students must:
- Submit Intent to Apply
(deadline: Wednesday, July 1, 11:59 PM ET) - Submit Endorsement Application (becomes available once Intent to Apply is completed)
(deadline: Tuesday, July 21, 11:59 PM ET)
The Intent to Apply represents the initial stage of the endorsement application. Applicants submit this Intent to Apply for first deadline. Once submitted, applicants then gain access to the complete Endorsement Application. You can submit the Intent to Apply anytime before July 1.
The full endorsement application asks applicants to submit the following materials for our deadline:
- Four essays. View the Marshall essay prompts. Answer all prompts in one document with essay number and prompt before each response. Essays address intellectual development, proposed academic programme, leadership, and ambassadorial potential, including rationale for first- and second-choice courses and institutions.
- Two letters of recommendation. References may address academic work or leadership. Applicants should review the Information for Recommenders.
- Resume (no more than two pages). Indicate significant activities, achievements, and experiences in college that demonstrate your values and trajectory.
- Unofficial transcript. Download your unofficial transcript from my.harvard.edu; it should include your spring grades and fall course registration.
Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the application process and to engage with available resources as they prepare their materials.
URAF offers several information sessions relevant to the Marshall application process, including:
- Distinguished UK Fellowships: The Rhodes and Marshall Information Session
- Postgraduate Awards Information Session
- UK Study and Admissions Information Session
Students are also encouraged to consult with URAF advisors and their House Fellowships Tutors.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all materials are complete and submitted by the stated deadlines.