Overview

The Winston Churchill Foundation of the U.S., established in 1959, supports outstanding American students to do graduate work in engineering, mathematics, and the sciences at Churchill College, Cambridge University. The first Churchill scholarships were awarded in 1963. Each year Stanford can nominate two applicants for the Churchill Scholarship.

The Award

At least 14 scholarships are awarded annually. The Churchill Scholarship is worth between $45,000 and $50,000. It covers all University and College tuition and fees, living allowance, travel allowance and research allowance. It covers all University and College fees (currently about $25,000). In addition, Churchill Scholars receive a living allowance of £11,000 if enrolled in a nine-month program, £12,000 if enrolled in a ten- or eleven-month program, and £13,000 if enrolled in a full-year program. They receive an allowance of up to $1,500 for travel to and from the United Kingdom, as well as reimbursement of applications fees for a UK visa (currently almost $500).

As stated by the Churchill Foundation, the criteria for the scholarships are:

Exceptional academic achievement in all disciplines, but especially in the major, as indicated by course grades (previous Scholars have had a grade point average of at least 3.7)
A capacity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics by pursuing original, creative work at an advanced level as demonstrated by awards and prizes and by letters of reference.
Outstanding personal qualities.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Churchill Scholarship must be:

U.S. citizens between the ages of 19 and 26 at the time they begin their study at Cambridge
A Senior enrolled in or recent graduate (within the past 12 months) from a participating college or university (Stanford is a nominating institution)
Nominated by that institution

The Application

A Churchill application consists of the following:

Independent application to Cambridge University and Churchill College by Oct. 14
Stanford Churchill Cover Page (available from link above)
Churchill Scholarship Online Application - printed and signed
- Personal information, education, program of study at Cambridge
- Fellowships, graduate programs, references
- Publications, presentations, etc.
- Scholarships, prizes, awards, and other distinctions (1 page)
- Research/employment experience (1 page)
- Proposed program of study (1 page)
- Personal statement (up to 2 pages)
Copy of any correspondence with the laboratory supervisor at Cambridge (email is acceptable). It should indicate a willingness to accept the student into his or her laboratory, pending a successful application.
4 Letters of Reference with Foundation's cover form
2 paper hard copies of Official Transcripts (not the electronic official transcript)
GRE or MCAT Scores

The Campus Process

Each year, Stanford can nominate 2 students for the Churchill Scholarship, so the campus process is quite competitive. Their application will include an Institutional Endorsement.

If you are an enrolled Stanford student, you must apply through the Overseas Resource Center. If you are a recent graduate of Stanford, you may also apply through the ORC.

For the Campus Deadline, please submit the above checklist of itmes to the ORC in paper versions. We require 3 copies.

The applications are reviewed by a committee composed of Stanford faculty and former Churchill Scholars. The top two applicants will be nominated for the Churchill Scholarship. Those two nominees will be invited to SUBMIT their applications online.

The National Process

Applications from nominated individuals will be reviewed by a screening committee composed of previous Churchill Scholars (mainly academic scientists). Shortlisted applicants have a short phone interview, and winners are announced in January .

Top of page