Winston Churchill  Foundation  Scholarship

Churchill Scholarships supports one year of postgraduate study in engineering, mathematics, and the sciences at Cambridge, as well as the opportunity to experience life in Britain, to forge friendships with British students and those from other countries who are enrolled at Cambridge. The award covers all Cambridge University fees and tuition, plus living and travel expenses, for a total value of $48,000 to $50,000. The scholarship was established at the request of Sir Winston Churchill in order to fulfill his vision of U.S. – U.K. scientific exchange with the goal of advancing science and technology on both sides of the Atlantic, helping ensure our future prosperity and security. Interested applicants may review a full list of the eligible Churchill Programs of Study. You may review a video from the Foundation that elaborates on the scholarship.

Eligibility 

  • Institutional endorsement required - applicants are not able to apply directly 
  • The University of Oregon can endorse two candidates, total, for the national competition. 
  • Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, between the ages of 19 and 26 
  • Open to all STEM academic fields 
  • Current senior or have graduated within the past 12 months 
  • Upon accepting the Churchill Scholarship, the Scholar must hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent, and may not have attained a doctorate 
  • There is not a minimum GPA requirement, but the average GPA of recipients is 3.95 

Award Highlights: 

  • Award covers all Cambridge University fees & tuition, plus a living allowance and travel expenses up to $50,000 

Application Components: 

Churchill applicants must also apply to their graduate program at Cambridge. The program deadlines vary and often accepted on a rolling basis. ODS advises you to submit your Cambridge application, by the end of October. The Churchill Committee does not review your Cambridge application. You must select Churchill College as your first choice in your Cambridge application. 

  • Biographical & Academic Information 
  • Future Career Plans (limit 200 words) 
  • Research/Employment Experience (limit 800 words) 
  • Scholarships, Prizes, Awards, and Other Distinctions (limit 800 words) 
  • Non-Academic Interests and Activities (limit 350 words) 
  • Dissemination – Publications, Oral Presentations, Poster Presentations (no word limits) 
  • Transcript (s) 
  • Proposed Program of Study (1 page) 
    • Make your own case for the program you are choosing, based upon your previous research and study.  This essay is not an opportunity merely to restate the work of the particular laboratory in which you wish to work. It should, instead, describe what you wish to investigate and what you wish to accomplish in the context of that laboratory. Include brief citations in this section only if they are critical for understanding your purpose. 
  • Personal Statement (2 pages) 
    • This Statement can be an intellectual autobiography in which you describe the development of your academic interests, the importance of your research for you, someone whose work inspired you, or some other critical aspect of your work in the sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Please do not repeat information from the Proposed Program of Study. This is a good place for you to describe what you actually did in the course of your independent research, so that the Selection Committee has a good understanding of your research activities to date. While the Personal Statement is primarily about your intellectual passions, you should feel free to discuss other work and activities that provide a fuller picture of who you are and who you want to be. 
  • Letter of recommendation (4 academic references) 
  • **A copy of correspondence (email is acceptable) with the faculty mentor or laboratory supervisor at Cambridge indicating a willingness to accept you into their research environment, pending a successful application. 
Award Website

https://www.churchillscholarship.org/

application Deadline

Submit Intent to Apply by May 1 for those who plan to apply in fall of the same calendar year

UO Endorsement Submission Deadline: October 2, 2024 (5:00 pm Pacific Time)

External Deadline: Wednesday, November 1, 2024 (2:00pm Pacific Time)

Contact the Advising Team

*Meeting with ODS Advising Team is REQUIRED for UO Endorsement

Advisor: Office of Distinguished Scholarship