Jaren Yambing ’22 is a Churchill Scholar!

What is the Churchill Scholarship?

The Churchill Scholarship provides funding (including tuition, fees, and a living stipend) to American students for a year of Master’s study in science, mathematics, and engineering at the University of Cambridge, based at Churchill College. The Scholarship was set up at the request of Sir Winston Churchill in order to fulfill his vision of US-UK scientific exchange with the goal of advancing science and technology on both sides of the Atlantic, helping to ensure our future prosperity and security.

Who can apply?

The Churchill Scholarship is open only to US citizens: either seniors enrolled in one of the participating institutions, or alumni who have graduated within the past 12 months. You must have a BA by the time you begin the scholarship and cannot have earned a doctorate.

Carleton may nominate up to two candidates for the Churchill Scholarship.

Please see a list of Programs of Study eligible for the Churchill Scholarship.

Why apply for the Churchill Scholarship?

  • The Churchill Scholarship fully funds a year of study at Cambridge University, one of the world’s best universities, with outstanding faculty who are engaged in cutting-edge research.
  • The Churchill Scholarship is the most prestigious post-baccalaureate fellowship award for those interested in a STEM research career.
  • Churchill Scholars often go on to further graduate study at top programs in their fields, and become leading researchers.

What are the selection criteria?

  • Outstanding academic achievement, especially in the major. There is no minimum GPA, but Churchill Scholars usually have GPAs above 3.8.
  • Proven talent in research and a capacity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in a STEM field by pursuing original, creative work at an advanced level. Awards, prizes, research and letters of recommendation are used to assess this criterion. Applicants in the sciences and engineering should have extensive laboratory experience, internships, or other related work; applicants in mathematics should have substantial independent work or other projects.  A majority of Churchill Scholarship nominees have won the Goldwater Scholarship (Note that students interested in medical practice, who cannot apply for the Goldwater, can apply for the Churchill).
  • Outstanding personal qualities; although the commitment to STEM research takes a lot of time, successful applicants display talents and pursue activities outside in areas like music, athletics, and community service.

Where can I learn more?

Deadlines

  • June 3, 2024, 11:59pm Central Time: Pre-Application Form due
  • October 7, 2024, 11:59pm Central Time: On-campus deadline
  • Early November: Official deadline (materials due at Churchill Foundation)

What is the application process?

Read the application instructions on the official Churchill website very thoroughly, including the specific requirements for letters of recommendation. Be sure you meet the earliest October deadline for admission to Cambridge University (this is usually the Gates Cambridge Scholarship deadline), as application to Cambridge is a prerequisite for the Churchill application. 

You are expected to work on the application independently and establish an affiliation with a host at Cambridge (if necessary; this is not required if you are pursuing a taught or hybrid course of study) over the summer but it is strongly recommended that you seek guidance from Marynel Ryan Van Zee, Director of Student Fellowships, and your faculty advisor(s) or recommenders.

By Monday, October 7, 2024, at 11:59pm, please hit ‘submit’ in the on-line application system.  **DRAFTED Letters of recommendation, which must include the cover sheet that you will have provided to your recommenders, must be submitted to fellowships@carleton.edu by the same deadline. **

Should you be selected as a Carleton nominee and asked to continue polishing your materials, Marynel will be able to return your application to you for further revision through the on-line application system. She may or may not request revisions to the drafted letters of recommendation before she directs your recommenders to submit them to the on-line application system.

Questions?

Contact Marynel Ryan Van Zee, Director of Student Fellowships at x4300, Laird 131/mryanvanzee.

Official Website

Churchill Scholarship

Recent Carleton Recipients

2022 – Jaren Yambing ’22

2013 – Tom Callister ’13

2012 – Michael Coughlin ’12