Purpose: Established in 1963 at the recommendation of Winston Churchill himself, the Winston Churchill Foundation is the only organization in the United States that bears his name and that was authorized by Sir Winston. The Foundation's Scholarship Program offers American students of exceptional ability and outstanding academic achievement the opportunity to pursue one year of graduate studies in engineering, mathematics, or the sciences at Churchill College, the University of Cambridge. The newest of the 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, but Churchill Scholars pursue their research in a wide variety of programs and laboratories.

In addition to the academic treasures of Cambridge University, the Churchill Scholarships provide the opportunity to experience life in England and to visit the country's archeological, historical, and artistic monuments, to forge new friendships with students from Great Britain and from around the world, to see the United States from a new perspective, and to gain the many personal insights that come from living abroad and adjusting to new ways and new challenges.

Funding: The Churchill Scholarship provides payment of all College and University tuition and fees. In addition, students receive a living allowance at about $20,000 to $24,000, as well as a travel allowance of up to $1,000 to and from the United Kingdom. A Special Research Grant of up to $2,000 is also a possibility available through the Foundation. The value of the Churchill Scholarship is approximately $44,000 to $50,000, using exchange rates from January 2007.

Eligibility: Applicants for a Churchill Scholarship must be citizens of the United States and be enrolled in one of the institutions participating in the scholarship competition. Upon taking up a Churchill Scholarship, one must be between the ages of 19 and 26, must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a United States college or university, and may not have attained a doctorate.

Selection Criteria: The criteria for the selection of Churchill Scholars include the following:

-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. Applicants in the sciences and engineering will show extensive laboratory experience, internships, or other related work, while applicants in mathematics will show substantial independent work or other projects.

-Scores on the Graduate Record Examinations. (Please note that the GRE Subject Test is no longer required.)

-Outstanding personal qualities.

Applicants frequently ask, "What is the Churchill Foundation looking for?" While it is difficult to reduce the criteria to one simple phrase, I would hazard "intellectual leadership." That intellectual leadership is demonstrated by the academic record, evidence of independent research, the all-important letters of recommendation, and intellectual passion. The Foundation is also seeking individuals who admirably represent our country at Cambridge by their intellectual endeavors and by their participation in the life of the University of Cambridge.

-Peter C. Patrikis, Executive Director

Application Procedures: Information and application forms are available from the faculty adviser and on the web (see link to official website below).

1. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test are a required part of an application. Candidates should check with the faculty adviser or the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey, to learn the dates on which the Examinations are given. Also, they should determine when and where computer based Examinations are given.
2. It it highly suggested that interested students get in touch with the faculty adviser early in the fall to talk about the application process.

Selection Procedure: The faculty adviser, with the advice of a faculty committee, may nominate two candidates from among applicants.

The Churchill Foundation Screening Committee, comprised on experts from various fields, evaluates the applications and endorses those considered most qualified for a Scholarship. Applicants are notified in January whether or not they have been endorsed by the Screening Committee.

The Board of Graduate Studies at the University of Cambridge and the relevant departments review the applications that have been endorsed by the Screening Committee, consider the availability of appropriate supervision and laboratory space and decide who is eligible for admission to the University. The Foundation's current resources limit the number of Churchill Scholarships to twelve.

Deadline: Submit a complete application package to the faculty advisor by October 5, 2007. Your application will be reviewed by the internal committee, and up to two applications may be endorsed by Carleton. Endorsed applications must be received at the foundation by November 12, 2007.You will also need to take the general GREs by November. Read the instructions at http://www.winstonchurchillfoundation.org/Forms/Application_Instructions.pdf carefully -- Applicants for the Churchill Scholarship must now apply separately to the University of Cambridge no later than October 15, 2007. Be aware that an applicant must list Churchill College as his or her first choice on the separate Cambridge application.

Faculty Adviser: David Liben-Nowell, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, 646-4679.

Official Website: http://www.winstonchurchillfoundation.org/