Undergraduate Academic Awards
Campuswide and National Scholarship Opportunities

CHURCHILL SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINES

UW-Madison deadline:  August 2, 2024
Foundation deadline:  November 1, 2024 (5:00 p.m. EST)

*Candidates must be nominated by UW–Madison and may not apply directly. Students interested in applying should contact the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office for more information about the application process. Contact: 608-265-2428, awards@provost.wisc.edu

DESCRIPTION

The Churchill Scholarship provides funding to American students for a year of master’s study at the University of Cambridge, based at Churchill College. The program 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. Up to 16 scholarships are made annually.

AWARD

The scholarship covers all college and university tuition fees for one year of graduate study in a STEM field at Churchill College, University of Cambridge. Students also receive a living stipend, an allowance of up to $1,500 for travel to the United Kingdom, and the possibility of a special research grant of up to $2,000.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Citizen of the United States, either native born or naturalized
  • Senior 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 scholar must hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent, and may not have attained a doctorate degree.
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.8 recommended
  • Extensive research experience recommended

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outstanding academic achievement, especially in the major, as indicated by course grades and recommendation letters
  • Proven talent in research, as evidenced by extensive laboratory experience, internships, or 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 interesting “jagged edges.” The Committee takes into account interests and achievements outside of research, but it does not favor any particular kind of activity.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To be considered for nomination, applicants must submit a complete campus application to the UAA Office by the campus deadline (see section below). The campus committee reviews applications and selects two candidates for nomination. Nominated candidates complete and submit the Churchill Scholarship Foundation application in early November, and the University of Cambridge graduate admissions application in early October. Applications for the Churchill Scholarship are reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of at least eight former Churchill Scholars from a variety of STEM disciplines. An offer cannot be made before completion of an informal telephone interview in December. Scholars are announced publicly in January.

CAMPUS NOMINATION PROCESS

Please submit the following materials by 11:59 p.m. on the campus deadline.  Items 2-5 below will be submitted via the online campus application form (link below).  Letters of recommendation are to be submitted separately via email to the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office, awards@provost.wisc.edu.

  1. Campus Application Form
    This is the campus application to be considered for nomination for the Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, and/or Churchill scholarships. You can apply to be nominated for more than one scholarship. Please note: You should be able to leave the online application and re-enter to finish it later from the same computer. Or you can plan your responses using the 2023 campus application PDF  and then complete the online application in one sitting. Email awards@provost.wisc.edu with any technical difficulties.
  2. Personal Statement (no more than 750 words) describing your academic and other interests.  Help the reader understand who you are and how your academic passions and future goals have evolved.  Reflect on and analyze some of the significant activities/experiences that have shaped you.
  3. A “Résumé” or CV (two pages, no smaller than 11 pt font) Organize your résumé/CV to showcase your strengths. Common headings include:education (universities attended, majors, degrees earned); research; presentations and publications; awards, scholarships, and honors; service/volunteerism; employment and internships; other activities/interests. Emphasize your leadership experiences. Please do not include a photograph in your resume. Don’t assume the reader will be familiar with UW-Madison or the surrounding community.
  4. Proposed Academic Program Essay(s) For each scholarship you check on the application form, write an essay (no more than 350 words each) concisely explaining your reasons for wishing to pursue your first choice academic program(s) and university, and how this course of study fits in your academic trajectory. See Choosing a University in the UK.
  5. Transcripts from all colleges attended (for campus purposes, an unofficial transcript or a copy of your UW-Madison student record is fine, as are photocopies of transcripts from other institutions).
  6. Letters of recommendation at least four for the Churchill Scholarship, from professors or research mentors (PIs) in STEM fields. If you are applying for nomination to more than one UK/Ireland scholarship, your recommenders do not need to submit a separate letter for each scholarship.  For the campus competition, they can submit one “combined” letter, recommending you for all the scholarships for which you are applying. They can address the letter to “Members of the UW-Madison Nominating Committee” and email an electronic copy to awards@provost.wisc.edu.   Should you receive university nomination, your recommenders will need to submit a separate letter to each of the scholarship foundations.  Please read over and give your recommenders a copy of Effective Recommendation Letters for UK-Ireland Scholarships.

Churchill Scholarship Website: See http://www.winstonchurchillfoundation.org/ for official information on the scholarship (which supersedes any information provided here).

RESOURCES

UAA Comparison Guide – UK-Ireland Scholarships
Previous Churchill Scholars
UK-Ireland Scholarships Info. Session Webinar May 20, 2021
UK-Ireland Scholarships Info. Session Webinar May 12, 2021
UK-Ireland Scholarships Info. Session Webinar June 17, 2020