Fellowships

Churchill Scholarship

Is it for you?

The Churchill Scholarship provides between $50,000–$60,000 to fund a one-year graduate degree in engineering, mathematics, or science at Churchill College, Cambridge University. The award also includes a travel allowance up to $1,500 and the possibility of a $2,000 Special Research Grant to cover research expenses.

What are the key dates?

The 2024 application cycle for scholarships beginning in fall 2025 has closed. Please check back for updates on the application cycle in late spring 2025.

General Information Sessions: TBD for 2025 (normally late March-early April)

JHU pre-application deadline: TBD for 2025 (usually mid- to late April 22) (optional – please see “How do you work with the NFP?” below for more information on advising options)

The pre-application is available on NFP’s Canvas course for U.K. Scholarship applicants. The course will be available by the first info session listed above (please note: the Canvas course is offline between application cycles). Please email [email protected] in late March or after to request the self-enrollment link.

JHU nomination deadline: TBD for 2025 (usually mid-September)

National/final deadline: TBD for 2025 (usually around November 1) (for JHU nominees only)

Are you eligible?

Candidates for the Churchill Scholarship must:

be a U.S. citizen.
be a senior in college at the time of application or must have graduated within the past 12 months. At the beginning of the scholarship, Churchill Scholars must hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent and may not have attained a doctorate.
propose a course of study in an eligible field.

How do you work with the NFP?

To apply for the Churchill, JHU nomination is required and is sought by working with our office. JHU may nominate up to two candidates per year.

Those seeking a nomination must go through one of two campus advising processes:

The U.K. Scholarships advising process begins in the spring of the application year and is a cohort-based approach for applicants to one or more of several highly competitive scholarships (the Churchill, Gates Cambridge, Marshall, and Rhodes Scholarships). By an April pre-application deadline, prospective applicants declare their intention to join the U.K. Scholarships cohort. We closely advise cohort members on their applications individually and offer a range of skill- and community-building group activities from the late spring through early fall. This process is very strongly recommended for applicants who think they may want to apply to more than one U.K. scholarship (and if you plan to apply for the Marshall and/or Rhodes, it is required). It is also recommended for those who wish to benefit from a more intensive skill-building, cohort-based approach to the application process. Our Application Process and Timeline overview provides more details.
Applicants who do not participate in the U.K. Scholarships advising process can still apply for a nomination for the Churchill Scholarship by submitting a complete application package by the campus deadline posted above. We *strongly* encourage you to contact us well before that deadline to discuss your plans at Cambridge, choice of recommenders, and application materials.

The timeline gives an overview of the application process and when to reach out to us. In preparation, see “have a closer look” below for more resources about the Churchill.

late March-mid-April	Attend an info session; stop by NFP office hours to discuss your plans and goals
late April	Submit pre-application materials (for UK Scholarships cohort – optional)
May-June	Attend fellowship and writing workshops; consult individually with NFP advisors (for UK Scholarships cohort – optional)
July-August	Draft and revise application materials; secure recommendations
September	participate in roundtables & CV workshops (for UK Scholarships cohort – optional)
September	Meet campus deadline for nomination
October	Nominees revise applications
late October-early November	Nominees meet official Churchill deadline

Are you competitive?

Sixteen scholarships are awarded each year. Applicants first submit their materials to a campus committee for review. Two students are selected as nominees to the national Churchill Scholarship competition. The campus committee offers advice on how to improve their materials for final submission. Selection decisions (both on-campus and at the national level) are based on the following criteria:

Academic record: A high GPA (generally 3.8+) and class rank (top 10%) are necessary.
Personal Statement: This essay of no more than two pages 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, as well as the potential for success in your discipline. 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. Applicants must fill out and submit to their recommenders the Scholarship Recommendation cover sheet, which is available on the Winston Churchill Foundation’s 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 education 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. Refer to the complete application instructions on the Churchill website.

Have a closer look:

Visit the Official Website

Churchill Scholarship

Explore JHU and NFP Resources

All applicants should enroll in our U.K. Scholarships Canvas site, which contains a wealth of information and resources about the application process. Please email us to request access in the spring.