Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Core funding

• University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate. Applicants who hold a public fee award, such as UKRI, must accept it, and the Trust may then not pay or may share fees and maintenance.
• Maintenance allowance for a single student: £23,152 for 12 months at the 2026-27 rate, pro rata for courses under 12 months. PhD Scholars are funded for up to 4 years.
• One economy single airfare at the start of the course and one at the end.
• Inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Discretionary funding

• Academic development funding: from up to £750 to up to £4,000, depending on course length, for conferences and courses.
• Dependent Children Allowance: up to £12,793 a year for one child and up to £18,244 a year for two or more children. Partners are not funded.
• Fieldwork: PhD Scholars may keep up to their normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork.
• Maternity or paternity: up to 6 months' intermission with maintenance continuing.
• Hardship funding for unforeseen difficulties.

Bench fees and the cost of scientific equipment are not covered. The maintenance allowance may be reduced or withheld for Scholars who receive a salary or another substantial scholarship.

Entry in 2027/28

• Applications open: 11 September 2026.
• US round (US citizens living in the USA): deadline Wednesday 14 October 2026, 11:59pm UK time, with all documents and references. Outcome by 14 December 2026; interviews 22-23 January 2027; offers by early February 2027.
• International round (all other applicants): deadline Tuesday 8 December 2026 or Wednesday 6 January 2027, 11:59pm UK time, depending on the course's funding deadline in the University Course Directory. Departmental ranking December to February; outcome by 8 March 2027; interviews 22-23 March 2027; offers by early April 2027.
• Offers must be accepted within 72 hours.

1. Check that your course is eligible and find its funding deadline in the University of Cambridge Course Directory.
2. PhD and most research MPhil applicants should contact a potential supervisor and develop a research project.
3. Complete the University's Graduate Application Portal: apply for admission to the course and a College place.
4. In the funding section, complete the Gates Cambridge sub-section and answer the four selection questions.
5. PhD applicants upload a research proposal if it is not already part of the admission documents.
6. Arrange two academic references and a separate Gates Cambridge reference, and make sure all are submitted by the deadline.
7. If nominated by your department, attend a 25-30 minute interview, in person or online.

• Full University of Cambridge application for admission (academic background, plans and course-specific documents).
• Answers to four Gates Cambridge questions: academic excellence (about 200 words, up to 1,400 characters); reasons for choice of course (about 200 words, up to 1,400 characters); commitment to improving the lives of others (about 300 words, up to 2,100 characters); capacity for leadership (about 300 words, up to 2,100 characters).
• Research proposal (PhD applicants only).
• Two academic references.
• One Gates Cambridge reference on how you meet the criteria, written by someone of appropriate standing (not a friend or family member). Referees rate you and may write up to 4,000 characters or upload a letter.

The four selection criteria are:

• Outstanding intellectual ability and academic excellence.
• Reasons for choice of course.
• A commitment to improving the lives of others.
• Leadership potential.

There are two stages. First, Cambridge academic departments nominate a small number of applicants who meet all four criteria to a very high level. Second, nominated candidates are interviewed for 25-30 minutes by one of four subject panels (Arts, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences). Panels are made up of academics and practitioners and may include alumni and a Trust representative. The interview covers your knowledge of and motivation for Gates Cambridge, your academic work, your choice of course and your career plans, and may include intellectual or ethical questions.