Description.
In October 2000, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $210 million to the University of Cambridge, establishing the Gates Cambridge Trust. The Trust awards Gates Cambridge Scholarships, prestigious international scholarships that enable outstanding graduates from outside the United Kingdom to study at the University of Cambridge. The aim of the programme is to create a network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded on the following criteria: intellectual ability, leadership capacity, a good fit with Cambridge, and a commitment to improving the lives of others. The Trust seeks to elect approximately 100 new Gates Scholars annually (although the exact number of awards may change from year to year). Approximately 40 of the 100 new scholarships each year will be awarded to US citizens.
Benefits. A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, namely:
- the University Composition Fee and College fees at the appropriate rate*
- a maintenance allowance for a single student (£12, 500 for 12 months was the 2009-10 rate; pro rata for courses shorter then 12 months)
- one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
- a discretionary contribution towards the costs of supporting dependants at Cambridge (upon application).
Once in residence, Gates Scholars may apply for financial help with the costs of attending conferences, undertaking fieldwork and other activities.
*The University Composition Fee varies for different types of students and applicants should see the Graduate Studies Prospectus for full details about precise amounts. Where a student from the European Union has been successful in gaining a fees award from public authorities, the Trust will not pay these fees.
Eligibility.
Candidates for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship:
- may be citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom.
- may apply to study any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
- may apply to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study:
- PhD (three year research only degree)
- One-year post-graduate course (e.g. MPhil, LLM, Diploma, MBA etc.)
- MSc or MLitt (two year research only degree)
- MBBChir Clinical Studies (3 year taught degree)
- must be admitted to one of the degrees above at Cambridge through the University's normal admission procedures. The Trust does not admit students.
- must be well prepared for the Cambridge course for which they are applying and must meet all of the conditions for admission specified by the University (e.g. academic, English language proficiency, if required, and any other conditions set).
- must be able to show evidence of high academic achievement, leadership potential, social commitment and a good fit with Cambridge.
- who are already studying at Cambridge are only eligible to apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if they are applying for a new course of study (e.g. a one year ‘MPhil only’ student may apply for funding to continue on to the PhD). Candidates already studying at Cambridge who are not applying for a new course of study (e.g. have already started their PhD) are not eligible to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
There is no one template for a Gates Scholar: each scholar is different and brings something unique to the programme. However, when selecting Gates Scholars, the Trust looks for students with enthusiasm, robustness of intellect, a willingness to engage and an appropriate humility that comes from an awareness that nothing is ever really simple.
In particular, Gates Scholars will be driven by the values of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which include a commitment to reducing inequities and improving lives around the world. The Foundation’s mission is to increase opportunity and equity for those most in need, particularly in the areas of health and education, often through the use of science and technology.
The Trust expects a good match to be made between the applicant's qualifications and aspirations and what Cambridge has to offer. Successful applicants will have the ability to make a significant contribution to their discipline while in Cambridge, with a strong aptitude for research, analysis and a creative approach to defining and solving problems.
Materials for Final Consideration. While there is no internal selection process through Bowdoin, applicants are strongly encouraged to draw upon the services of the Office of Student Fellowships and Research to complete their application and to visit Info for British Fellowships: Applying for the Rhodes, Marshall, and Gates Cambridge Scholrships.
You should check the Graduate Studies Prospectus and the website of your prospective department for full details of what you must submit. In summary, you will need to submit the following documents by the relevant deadline:
- The entire GRADSAF application form
- Three letters of reference (two academic ones for admission and one personal reference for the scholarship application)
- Transcripts
- Any other documents required by the Board of Graduate Studies (e.g. proof of English ability if English is not your first language) or the department to which you are applying (e.g. some departments require examples of written work or a GRE test score).
If you submit all required documentation by the relevant deadline you will automatically be considered for:
- admission to a course (e.g. MPhil Education)
- admission to one of the 31 Colleges
- a Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- if you are not successful in the Gates competition - other awards for which you may be eligible (e.g. awards from the other Cambridge Trusts and the University)
More about the Selection Process. All candidates shortlisted for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship (approximately 110) will attend a 20-25 minute interview in Annapolis, MD in early February 2011. The interviews will be conducted by a panel of three to five members, knowledgeable in a general way about the candidate’s field of study. Successful candidates will be informed of the results shortly after the interviews have taken place.
Please note shortlisting for an interview or indeed the award of a Gates Cambridge Scholarship does not constitute an offer of admission to the University. It is a condition for taking up a Gates Cambridge Scholarship that the candidate has received an official offer of a place on the course from the Board of Graduate Studies.
Please note that applicants are responsible for all photocopying needed for the internal selection process and as required by the foundation.
