Churchill Scholarship
Location: United Kingdom
Experience Type:
Scholarships & Funding
Cornell endorsement is required.
The Churchill Scholarship provides around $60,000 for a year of graduate study in engineering, mathematics, or science at Churchill College, Cambridge University, plus a $1500 travel allowance and the possibility of a $2000 Special Research Grant, approved in advance by the Foundation, to cover research expenses. Fifteen scholarships are awarded annually.
Read carefully the Churchill Scholarship website for further information.
Important Dates
September 3 |
Deadline: Application due to Fellowships Coordinator. See Application Process. |
October-November |
Cornell Endorsement Committee reviews applications and selects two applicant to be endorsed to the Churchill Foundation. |
October 27 |
Deadline: FINAL SUBMISSION of application to Fellowship Coordinator. |
November 1 |
Foundation deadline for receipt of application material |
January -February |
Approximately 20-25 students are chosen by the Churchill Foundation for preliminary endorsement. |
February |
Announcement of winners. |
Eligibility
Seniors who are U.S. citizens with a B.A. or B.S. by May 2023. Applicants may have a Master’s degree but may not have begun a doctoral program.
Programs of Study
For details on eligible programs of study, read the website.
For a video about the program, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIjwSY8M1qE
A few eligible programs are:
Life Sciences: Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Pathology, Public Health, Epidemiology.
Physical Sciences: Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Materials Science, Mathematics, Physics.
Technology: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Computer Science, Energy Technologies, Machine Learning, Speech and Language Technology.
Selection Criteria
Applicants first submit their materials to a campus committee for review in October. During October, Cornell chooses two students as nominees to the national Churchill Scholarship competition. Students’ and alumni’s applications must be processed and endorsed through the CCS fellowships office to be eligible for the competition at the regional and/or national level. Endorsement decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
By late October, nominees submit the final version of their applications. Selection decisions (on campus and the national level) are based on the following criteria:
- Academic record: A high GPA (generally 3.8+) and class rank (top 10%) are expected. Personal Statement: This essay of no more than 1,000 words should give the committee a clear sense of who you are, how your interests have developed, and how and why study at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, fits into your future plans.
- Four letters of recommendation: Faculty members who know you well are asked to provide information on your academic qualifications, specifically your knowledge of the field, originality and imagination, and potential for success in the field. Recommenders are also asked to comment on your personal characteristics, particularly on your adaptability, maturity, and quality as an ambassador. If you plan to do a research degree, it is vital that your recommenders be able to comment on your ability to work independently and carry out research. NOTE: Additionally, applicants must fill out and submit to their recommenders the Scholarship Recommendation cover sheet, which is available on the Winston Churchill website.
- Proposed course of study at Cambridge, Churchill College: The student’s proposed course of study at Cambridge should reflect a clear awareness of the faculty and facilities available there, and an understanding of the British higher educational system. Applicants should begin researching appropriate degree programs no later than spring term preceding the year of application.NOTE: Applicants for the Churchill Scholarship must apply separately to the University of Cambridge no later than mid-October 2023. Refer to the complete application instructions, available on the Churchill website.
Application Process
Students’ and alumni’s applications must be processed and endorsed through the CCS fellowships office to be eligible for the competition at the regional and/or national level. Endorsement decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
Applications are available online.
APPLICATION MATERIALS DUE to Fellowship Coordinator.
Work from a copy of the application for submission to the Cornell Endorsement Committee. Make sure that you read the fine print on the application forms and that you have filled in all the blanks as you would for the final submission.
- One copy of the Winston Churchill Foundation Scholarship Application.
- Application includes:
- Personal information, education, program of study at Cambridge.
- Fellowships, graduate programs, references.
- Scholarships, prizes, awards, and other distinctions (1 page).
- Research/employment experience (1 page).
- Proposed Program of Study Essay (1 page).
- Personal Statement (up to 2 pages).
- Four letters of recommendation. Recommenders can send or e-mail letters and cover sheets directly to the Fellowship Coordinator.
- College transcript from each institution attended.
Endorsement
If your application is endorsed, you will submit the final version of all application materials by 4:30 pm, to the Fellowship Coordinator.
A complete application consists of:
- One copy of the Winston Churchill Foundation Scholarship Application.
- Four letters of recommendation, along with the signed cover sheets.
- College transcript from each institution attended.
- Letter of interest or commitment from a director of a laboratory in Cambridge, if available and relevant; such a letter is not required.
Contact:
Fellowship Coordinator
103 Barnes Hall
ccs-fellowships@cornell.edu