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Ellison Scholars Programme

What is the Ellison Scholars Programme?

The Ellison Scholars Programme provides fully-funded scholarships for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford while students work on real-world technology projects at the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT). Scholars collaborate with other Scholars, the EIT Faculty and mentors and unlike traditional doctoral students, Ellison Scholars lead a "dual life" between their labs and the Ellison Institute of Technology. The programme is designed for "global innovators" who want to apply high-level research to urgent global problems. The Ellison Scholars Programme is a relatively new award (2024) for supporting doctoral studies at Oxford, which means that certain aspects of the award are still being developed. It is therefore important to check the Ellison Scholars Programme website for the most updated information.

The programme is one of the most generous in the world, covering:

  • Full Tuition: All University of Oxford course fees.
  • Living Stipend: A "generous" stipend that significantly exceeds standard UK research council rates.
  • Travel & Research: Funding for flights, conference travel, and research costs.
  • Tech & Setup: A personal technology allowance (e.g., high-end laptops/equipment) and arrival costs (visas, healthcare surcharge).

Fields of Interest

Scholars are selected to work on projects important to humanity or “humane endeavours”.  These humane endeavours have been identified as the following: 

  • Health & Medical Science: Includes generative biology and vaccine research.
  • Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture: Developing resilient food systems.
  • Climate Change & Clean Energy: Managing atmospheric CO2 and sustainable power.
  • Government Innovation in the Era of AI: Reimagining policy and economics through technology.

Selection Criteria

The program is looking for "exceptional" talent rather than just high grades. Students from all countries around the world are eligible to apply.

  • Academic Bar: You must meet Oxford’s stringent entry requirements for your specific DPhil course
  • Innovation Track Record: They value evidence of contribution to the field, such as peer-reviewed publications, patents, or successful tech projects.
  • Personal Traits: The selection committee explicitly looks for Alignment, Excellence, Collaboration, Innovation, Tenacity, and Integrity.

Application Process

The application process for the Ellison Scholars postgraduate programme (DPhil/PhD) is a unique, two-stage "parallel" process. Unlike many other scholarships, you typically apply to the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) first to secure a conditional scholarship before applying to the University of Oxford.

1. The Two-Stage Process

Stage 1: EIT Selection (The "Conditional" Award): You apply directly to the Ellison Institute which opens in October on the EIT website. If successful, you are granted a "conditional scholarship."

Stage 2: Oxford University Application: Only after being shortlisted or selected by EIT are you invited to submit a formal application to the University of Oxford for your chosen DPhil course.

Important: Admission to Oxford is an independent academic process. You must meet Oxford’s entry requirements to keep your Ellison scholarship.

The application portal opens on August 1 and closes on November 1. The application consists of:

  • Project Alignment: You must select a specific EIT Project you wish to work on and demonstrate how your skills and research interests align with it.
  • Research Proposal: A proposal (typically ~1,000 words) outlining your intended doctoral research.
  • Video Submission: A 3–5 minute video explaining your vision for using technology to solve global challenges.
  • Portfolio: Up to 5 "entries" or artifacts (e.g., published papers, patents, code repositories, or evidence of a startup) that prove your innovation track record.
  • References: Three letters—two academic and one character reference.
  • Academic Records: CV and transcripts meeting Oxford’s high bar.

Next Steps

EIT often hosts Information Sessions in the autumn (September/October) where project leads discuss their specific goals for the next year's cohort. It is highly recommended to attend these before finalizing your research proposal. For more information explore here.

There is no Stanford campus process for the Ellison Scholars Programme, but a UK scholarship advisor is happy to speak with you. Please reach out to rhodesmarshall@stanford.edu to schedule a meeting.