Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026–2027: Fully Funded Postgraduate Opportunity at Cambridge

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded postgraduate scholarship offered by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for study at the University of Cambridge. Established in 2000 with a historic US$210 million gift, it supports around 80 outstanding scholars each year from countries outside the UK. Approximately two-thirds are PhD candidates, while the rest pursue one-year postgraduate degrees (e.g., MPhil, MLitt, LLM).

Scholars are part of a global network of leaders committed to improving lives—roughly 250 scholars and 1,700 alumni are contributing across disciplines and geographies.

What Is Covered?

Gates Cambridge provides comprehensive support, including:

• University composition fees (at the appropriate rate)
• Maintenance allowance (approx. £21,000 per 12 months, 2024–2025 rate)
• One economy flight at the start and end of the course
• Discretionary funds for conference travel, fieldwork, and unforeseen needs

PhD scholars may receive support up to 4 years, with potential eligibility for extensions in special circumstances.

Who Can Apply?

You are eligible if you:

• Hold citizenship in a country outside the UK
• Apply for a full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge: PhD, MLitt, MPhil, or eligible one-year degrees

Excluded programs include undergraduate degrees, MBA, executive degrees, MBChir clinical studies, PGCE, and related qualifications.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are assessed based on four pillars:

1. Outstanding intellectual ability
2. Reasons for choice of course (academic fit and rationale)
3. Commitment to improving the lives of others
4. Leadership potential

Timeline for 2026–2027 Cycle

• Applications open: 10 September 2025
• US Citizens (round): apply by 15 October 2025 — funding decisions by early February 2026.
• Other Applicants: apply by 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026, depending on your chosen course. Funding offers expected in early April 2026.

Full course deadlines are listed under the University’s Course Directory. Ensure your complete application—including references—is submitted by 23:59 GMT on the deadline date.

Application Process

Apply through Cambridge’s Graduate Application Portal. In your application, you must:

• Choose a graduate course and College place
• Complete the Gates Cambridge funding section, answering four core questions tied to the selection criteria (e.g., academic excellence, leadership, purpose)
• For PhD applicants: submit a research proposal
• Arrange an additional Gates-specific reference—this should explicitly address how you meet the scholarship’s criteria.

Why It Matters

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is among the world’s most prestigious awards, enabling scholars to:

• Study at one of the world’s leading universities
• Join a vibrant, impact-driven community
• Collaborate across disciplines and contribute to global change

By providing tailored funding, professional development, and global networks, it empowers emerging leaders to address pressing challenges in their fields and communities.