Gates Cambridge University Scholarship 2026-27
Scholarship Amount
About This Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge University Scholarship 2026-27 is a prestigious opportunity provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support exceptional students pursuing postgraduate or PhD courses at the University of Cambridge. This scholarship aims to identify and support future leaders who are committed to improving the lives of others.
Candidates will be selected based on their intellectual abilities, leadership potential, and their commitment to bringing a positive change in the world. The scholarship offers comprehensive financial support to enable scholars to focus on their studies and research.
The selected candidates will receive the following benefits:
Core Components
• Full coverage of the University Composition Fee (at the appropriate rate for the chosen course).
• A generous maintenance allowance for a single student, set at £21,000 (₹25,21,936 approx.) for 12 months at the 2024-25 rate. This allowance is pro-rata for shorter courses and can extend for up to 4 years for PhD scholars.
• One economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the academic course.
• Full coverage of inbound visa costs associated with studying in the UK.
• Coverage of the Immigration Health Surcharge, ensuring access to the National Health Service.
Discretionary Components
• Academic Development Funding: Between £500 and £2,000 (depending on the course length) is provided to support attendance at conferences, short courses, and other academic development activities.
• Dependent Children Allowance: Up to £11,604 for one child and up to £16,548 for two or more children (at the 2024-25 rate) to support scholars with family responsibilities.
• PhD Fieldwork Maintenance: Continued maintenance allowance during approved PhD fieldwork periods (excluding other fieldwork costs).
• Maternity or Paternity Funding: Up to 6 months of study intermission with continued maintenance allowance for scholars who become parents.
• Hardship Funding: Available for unforeseen difficulties or emergencies that may arise during the course of study.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Gates Cambridge University Scholarship, an applicant must fulfill the following criteria:
• Nationality: The applicant must belong to any country other than the United Kingdom. This scholarship is specifically for international students.
• Program of Study: The applicant must be applying to pursue a postgraduate or PhD degree at the University of Cambridge. This includes all postgraduate degrees offered by the university, such as PhD, MSc/MLitt, or one-year postgraduate courses (e.g., MPhil, LLM, MASt, Diploma, MBA etc.).
Required Documents
The following documents are typically required as part of your application for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and University of Cambridge admission:
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): A comprehensive overview of your academic achievements, work experience, research, and publications.
• Personal Statement: A compelling essay explaining your academic motivations, research interests, career aspirations, and how you align with the Gates Cambridge mission.
• Research Proposal: For research-based courses (e.g., PhD, MPhil by research), a detailed outline of your proposed research project, including its aims, methodology, and significance.
• GRE and GMAT Scores: Submission of these test scores may be required depending on your chosen course of study within the University of Cambridge. Please check specific course requirements.
• Academic References: Typically, two or more strong academic references are required from individuals who can speak to your intellectual abilities, academic performance, and potential for leadership.
Note: All documents should generally be submitted in PDF format and adhere to any specified size limits, such as under 2MB per file, as indicated in the application portal.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates can apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship by applying for admission to a postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship application is fully integrated with the university's graduate admissions process.
Follow these steps to apply:
1. Visit the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. This is the central platform for all postgraduate admissions to the university.
2. Create an account or log in if you are a returning applicant. You will need to complete the registration process to access the application forms.
3. Complete the online graduate application form. During this comprehensive process, you will be specifically prompted to apply for funding. It is crucial to select the Gates Cambridge Scholarship option within the funding section to be considered.
4. Upload all required supporting documents as specified by both the University of Cambridge and the Gates Cambridge Trust. Ensure all documents meet the format and size requirements.
5. Pay the application fee (if applicable for your chosen course) and submit your complete application before the stated deadline.
Important Dates:
• Application Deadline: 02 December 2025. Please refer to the official website for any specific course deadlines, which may vary. Early application is always recommended.
Contact Details:
For further assistance or inquiries regarding the scholarship, you can reach out to the Gates Cambridge Trust:
Gates Cambridge Trust
Bill Gates Sr. House
17 Mill Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1RX
United Kingdom
Email ID: info@gatescambridge.org
Phone No.: +44 (0)1223 338467