(All information copied from the Winston Churchill Foundation website.) Established in 1959, the Winston Churchill Foundation was founded by American friends of Churchill, who wanted to fulfill his wish of always having young American graduate students at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge. The Foundation’s Scholarship Program offers American citizens of exceptional ability and outstanding achievement the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in engineering, mathematics, or the sciences at Cambridge. One of the newer colleges at the University of Cambridge, Churchill College was built in tribute to Winston Churchill, who in the years after the Second World War presciently recognized the growing importance of science and technology for prosperity and security. Churchill College focuses on the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The first Churchill Scholarships, three in number, were awarded in 1963 and funded one year of study. Shortly thereafter the Scholarships were available either for one-year programs or for the three-year doctorate at Cambridge. In the early 1980’s the Foundation decided to support only one-year programs in order to increase the number of Churchill Scholars. In its early years the Foundation also made small travel grants to Churchill Fellows, distinguished senior faculty who would spend one year at the College. Eight of the Churchill Fellows won the Nobel Prize. The have now been some four hundred thirty Churchill Scholars. The Winston Churchill Foundation awards at least fourteen Scholarships. The one-year awards lead to the Master of Philosophy (MPhil), the Certificate of Post-Graduate Study (CPGS in a only a few fields of study), the Master of Advanced Study in Mathematics (MASM, formerly known as CASM, the Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics).
Criteria for Selection
The criteria for the selection of Churchill Scholars include: Exceptional academic talent and outstanding achievement, especially in the major, as indicated by course grades. The Foundation does not require a minimum GPA, but recent Churchill Scholars have had a GPA of at least 3.7 and usually have 3.9 or above. 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, prizes, research, and letters of recommendation. Applicants in the sciences and engineering will demonstrate extensive laboratory experience, internships, or other related work, while applicants in mathematics will show substantial independent work or other projects. Outstanding personal qualities. Understanding the time commitment required by research, the Churchill Foundation does not seek so-called “well rounded” applicants; instead, it seeks applicants with what we call interesting “jagged edges.” Nonetheless, it should be noted that successful applicants display a bewildering array of talents activities outside of academic pursuits, especially in music, athletics, social service, among other activities. The Winston Churchill Foundation of the United States is committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, marital or parental status, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Award
At least fourteen Churchill Scholarships are offered annually. The Scholarship is tenable for nine, ten or twelve months, depending on the academic program. The Churchill Scholarship is worth between $42,000 and $48,000, depending on the exchange rate. It covers all University and College tuition and fees (currently about $25,000). In addition, Churchill Scholars receive a living allowance of £10,000 if enrolled in a nine-month academic program, £12,000 if enrolled in a eleven-month academic program, and £13,000 if enrolled in a full-year academic program. They receive an allowance of up to $1,000 for travel to and from the United Kingdom, reimbursement of applications fees for a UK visa, and a personal travel allowance of $500 to allow scholars to travel around the UK, in Europe, or farther afield. The Foundation also offers the possibility of a Special Research Grant of up to $2,000; this grant may cover travel for presentations at international conferences, short stays at another university or institute for special research, and other activities. Married students should consult with the Foundation about additional support.
Eligibility
An applicant for the Churchill Scholarship must be a citizen of the United States, either native born or naturalized, and must be a senior who is enrolled in one of the institutions participating in the Scholarship Program or a student who has recently graduated from one of those institutions. Upon taking up the Churchill Scholarship, a Churchill Scholar must be between the ages of 19 and 26, must hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent, and may not have attained a doctorate.
How to Apply
How to apply for a Churchill Scholarship (click link for details)
Application deadline
The on-campus deadline for applications for Grinnell's nomination for the Churchill Scholarship is 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 10, 2011. Grinnell may nominate one student for this award. The final deadline for the nominee's application to the Churchill Foundation is Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Completed applications should be submitted to Doug Cutchins, Director of Social Commitment, 1233 Park St. Because the CRSSJ (1233 Park St.), which houses the Office of Social Commitment, is inaccessible to students with mobility disabilities, please contact soccom@grinnell.edu if you would like to make alternative plans to submit your application materials.
Elements of Application
Students interested in applying for Grinnell's nomination for the Churchill Scholarship should submit the following materials before the deadline stated above:
- Scholarship Nomination Permission Form and Waiver
- A completed application form.
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty members that assess the nominee's intellectual curiosity, character and potential for advanced graduate study. Please note that the college's nominees will also need to submit a fourth letter of recommendation in support of their application. Applicants should identify who would write that fourth letter and talk with them about the timeline for submission of this letter.
- A letter of interest or commitment from a director of a laboratory at Cambridge, if available and if relevant.
- An unofficial copy of your transcript.
- Transcripts from other institutions attended.
- Graduate Record Examination Scores on the General Test
- A personal statement of 1,000 words or less describing your background, interests, plans for graduate study, and career aspirations. The statement should include a discussion of some experiences and ideas that have shaped those interests, plans and aspirations.
For the on-campus nomination process, please ensure all application documents comply with these submission guidelines. Applicants should also review this Advice on writing personal statements as well as this Advice from Joe Schall on writing personal statements.
Applicants must also apply for graduate admission to Cambridge by their October 15 deadline.
Ethical Guidelines
All applicants are expected to adhere to these ethical guidelines.
Application Alternative
If studying abroad at Cambridge interests you, you might also consider applying for the Gates Scholarship.
Campus Representative
Doug CutchinsDirector of Social Commitment Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Social Justice 1233 Park St.Grinnell, Iowa 50112 phone: (641) 269-4408; fax: (641) 269-4321 cutchins@grinnell.edu
