The Churchill Scholarship 2027–28 nomination cycle is open for exceptional U.S. students and recent graduates pursuing eligible one-year STEM master’s study at the University of Cambridge. The Foundation nomination deadline is Monday, 2 November 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, but participating institutions normally set earlier campus deadlines.
Churchill Scholarship 2027–28 at a Glance
| Scholarship | Churchill Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Winston Churchill Foundation of the United States |
| Study location | Churchill College, University of Cambridge |
| Foundation nomination deadline | 2 November 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time |
| Campus deadline | Earlier; varies by participating institution |
| Main awards | 16 Churchill Scholarships in science, mathematics and engineering |
| Study level | Eligible one-year MPhil or MASt |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Nomination required | Yes, from a participating institution |
| Approximate total value | More than $80,000 |
What the Churchill Scholarship Covers
The Foundation states that the total value of the Churchill Scholarship is more than $80,000. The award supports one year of eligible master’s study at Cambridge and includes:
- University of Cambridge tuition;
- round-trip airfare to the United Kingdom;
- student visa fees;
- the UK immigration health surcharge;
- a living stipend set above the UK Research Council standard; and
- eligibility to apply for a $4,000 special research grant.
The Foundation funds up to 18 scholarships per year in total: 16 Churchill Scholarships in science, mathematics and engineering and up to two Kanders Churchill Scholarships in science policy.
Who Is Eligible for the Main Churchill Scholarship?
Applicants for the main Churchill Scholarship must:
- be a U.S. citizen, either native-born or naturalized;
- be enrolled at one of the Foundation’s participating institutions and graduate during the same academic year as the nomination deadline, or have graduated from that institution within the previous 12 months;
- hold a bachelor’s degree before taking up the Scholarship; and
- receive institutional nomination through the participating college or university.
Each participating institution may nominate up to two applicants. Candidates should therefore contact their campus scholarship or fellowship office well before the national deadline.
Eligible Cambridge Study
The Churchill Scholarship is tenable for one year of master’s study at the University of Cambridge. Eligible programmes are primarily research-intensive MPhil degrees in science, mathematics and engineering, together with selected MASt programmes.
The MASt is available in mathematics, including Part III programmes in applied mathematics and theoretical physics, pure mathematics and mathematical statistics. Eligible MPhil opportunities span areas such as astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, engineering, materials science, mathematics, medical sciences, physics and veterinary science.
Applicants must choose an eligible programme listed by the Foundation. If a proposed Cambridge programme does not appear on the official list, applicants should confirm eligibility directly with the Foundation before proceeding.
Supervisor correspondence
Applicants are generally required to show correspondence with a potential Cambridge research supervisor or course director demonstrating that the proposed placement is appropriate. The Foundation specifically notes exceptions for the MASt in mathematics and the MPhil in Advanced Computer Science.
Application Documents
The main Churchill Scholarship application requires the materials specified in the Foundation’s online portal, including:
- a completed online application form;
- a one-page Proposed Research / Program of Study;
- a two-page Academic and Research History;
- academic transcript;
- correspondence with a potential Cambridge supervisor where applicable; and
- four academic letters of recommendation.
Recommenders should know the applicant’s academic or STEM research work directly. If an applicant has completed substantial research away from the home institution, the Foundation expects at least one external recommendation from that experience.
How to Apply for the Churchill Scholarship
- Check whether your undergraduate institution participates. The Foundation accepts nominations only from participating institutions.
- Contact your campus scholarship office. Confirm the internal nomination procedure and deadline, which will normally be earlier than 2 November.
- Select an eligible Cambridge course. Review the Foundation’s current list of approved MPhil and MASt programmes.
- Contact a potential supervisor where required. Save appropriate correspondence for the Churchill application.
- Prepare the Churchill application. Complete the one-page proposed research/program of study, two-page academic and research history, transcript and other required materials.
- Arrange four academic recommendations. Include an external research referee when applicable.
- Apply separately to Cambridge. The Foundation strongly recommends applying by the Gates Cambridge U.S. deadline, currently 14 October 2026.
- Choose Churchill College first. The Foundation requires Churchill College to be the applicant’s first college choice.
- Complete the institutional nomination. The application is not complete until the participating institution uploads its nomination/support materials.
- Meet the Foundation deadline. Institutional nominations must reach the Foundation by 2 November 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
How Candidates Are Selected
The Churchill Scholarship is unusually focused on academic and research depth. The Foundation emphasizes:
- outstanding academic achievement in STEM;
- substantial and demonstrated research ability;
- originality, creativity and potential for advanced scientific work; and
- personal qualities that support success in an intensive research environment.
The Foundation states that there is no minimum GPA requirement. It also makes clear that candidates do not need to demonstrate a conventional “well-rounded” leadership profile. Deep achievement in a few areas, especially research, can be more relevant than broad extracurricular participation.
Applicants are normally notified of Foundation results by late December, with public announcements typically following by early February.
Kanders Churchill Scholarship in Science Policy
The Kanders Churchill Scholarship is a separate science-policy pathway. Up to two awards may be available each year, subject to funding.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor concentration in science, mathematics or engineering from any U.S. college or university. Unlike the main Churchill Scholarship, there is no time limit since graduation.
Kanders candidates pursue the MPhil in Public Policy. There is no separate application to the Churchill Foundation; candidates indicate interest through the Cambridge application. The current deadline is 14 October 2026, aligned with the Gates Cambridge U.S. deadline.
Pre-Submission Checklist
- U.S. citizenship confirmed
- Participating institution confirmed
- Campus nomination deadline confirmed
- Graduation timing meets the main Scholarship rule
- Eligible Cambridge MPhil or MASt selected
- Supervisor correspondence obtained where required
- One-page Proposed Research / Program of Study completed
- Two-page Academic and Research History completed
- Transcript ready
- Four academic recommendations requested
- External research referee included where applicable
- Cambridge application prepared by 14 October 2026 where possible
- Churchill College selected as first college choice
- Institutional nomination arranged before 2 November 2026
Churchill Scholarship 2027: Nomination, Cambridge and Funding Questions
Can I apply without being nominated by my university?
No. The main Churchill Scholarship requires nomination by one of the Foundation’s participating U.S. institutions. Each participating institution may nominate up to two applicants, so campus scholarship offices often run an earlier internal competition.
Can I apply if my university is not a Churchill participating institution?
Not for the main Churchill Scholarship through the standard route. Applicants must be enrolled at, or have recently graduated from, a participating institution under the Foundation’s current eligibility rules.
Do I also need to apply separately to Cambridge?
Yes. The Churchill Scholarship application and the University of Cambridge postgraduate application are separate processes. Applicants must apply for an eligible Cambridge course and are strongly advised to submit the Cambridge application early because admissions are rolling.
Which Cambridge college should I choose?
The Foundation states that Churchill College must be listed as the applicant’s first-choice college on the Cambridge application because the scholarship is tenable there.
Which Cambridge degrees are eligible?
The main scholarship supports one-year Master’s study, principally eligible MPhil and MASt programmes in science, mathematics and engineering. It is not a general PhD scholarship.
Do I need to contact a Cambridge supervisor before applying?
For most research-based MPhil applications, applicants are expected to show correspondence with a prospective supervisor or course director. The Foundation notes exceptions for the MASt in Mathematics and the MPhil in Advanced Computer Science.
How many Churchill awards are made each year?
The Foundation funds up to 18 scholarships annually: 16 main Churchill Scholarships in science, mathematics and engineering and two Kanders Churchill Scholarships in science policy.
Is there research funding beyond tuition and living costs?
Yes. In addition to tuition, airfare, visa-related costs and the living stipend, Churchill Scholars are eligible to apply for a $4,000 special research grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Churchill Scholarship 2027–28 open?
Yes. The Foundation nomination deadline is 2 November 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Campus deadlines are earlier.
Can international students apply for the main Churchill Scholarship?
No. The main Churchill Scholarship requires U.S. citizenship and nomination from a participating institution.
How much is the Churchill Scholarship worth?
The Foundation states that the total value exceeds $80,000, covering tuition, airfare, visa and health-surcharge costs, and a living stipend. Recipients may also apply for a $4,000 special research grant.
How many recommendation letters are required?
Four academic recommendation letters are required for the main Churchill Scholarship.
Is there a minimum GPA?
No. The Foundation does not prescribe a minimum GPA, although successful candidates generally demonstrate exceptional STEM academic and research achievement.
Must I choose Churchill College?
Yes. The Foundation requires Churchill College to be listed as the first college choice for Churchill Scholarship applicants.
Official Sources
| Status | Open |
|---|---|
| Foundation deadline | 2 November 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time |
| Recommended Cambridge timing | 14 October 2026 |
| Study year | 2027–28 |
| Last verified | 20 September 2026 |
