Gates Cambridge Scholarship
1-4 years graduate study at University of Cambridge.
Eligibility
- Citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.
- Application to pursue a full-time residential course of study.
- Admission to Cambridge through the University's normal academic procedures.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent by the start of the grant.
About the Gates Cambridge Scholarship
In 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation established the Gates Cambridge Scholarship "to create a network of future leaders from around the world who will bring new vision and commitment to improving the life circumstances of citizens in their respective countries.” This global scholarship funds 1-4 years of graduate study at the University of Cambridge. It is offered to intellectually outstanding postgraduate students with a capacity for leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
Amount Awarded
€ 20,000+; Tuition, accommodations, travel, insurance. A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge University. It also provides additional, discretionary funding.
Application Process
Visit our UK Scholarships webpage for details on the Gates Cambridge application process and how our Office of Global Scholarships can help.
Should I apply?
- Important information, which can help you determine if the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is right for you, can be found at Gates- Should I Apply Handout.
- After reading the Should I Apply document and have decided to apply this cycle, complete the Gates Cambridge Intent to Apply Form.
Selection Process
There are two Gates application rounds with different deadlines:
- Round 1: US citizens normally resident in the USA (October)
- Round 2: citizens of all countries other than the USA (except the United Kingdom) and US citizens normally resident outside the USA (December or January depending)
Campus Application Deadline
No campus process.
National Application Deadline
January 5, 2026
Timeline Details
There is no campus process for this award, however, the OGS can assist with the application. The deadline falls in early October each year for U.S citizens normally resident in the USA and early December or early January for citizens of all countries other than the USA (except the United Kingdom) and U.S. citizens normally resident outside the USA.
Eligible applicants will have one of three possible funding deadlines:
- For US citizens who are living in the USA – regardless of course, the application deadline is in October.
- For all other eligible candidates (including US citizens who are living outside the USA)– the application deadline will be based on the student’s course and will be either early December or early January.
- Read more about the Gates Cambridge funding timetable here.
Additional Info
Number Awarded: 25 for U.S. round and 55 for International round (2/3 of the awards will be offered to PhD students)
Find additional information, including application criteria, at the Gates Cambridge Scholarship website.