About
Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to fifty Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study.
As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent and wide-ranging, and their time as Scholars enhances their intellectual and personal growth. Their direct engagement with Britain through its best academic programmes contributes to their ultimate personal success.
Programme Objectives
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To enable intellectually distinguished young Americans, their country’s future leaders, to study in the UK.
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To help Scholars gain an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain.
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To contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences and the creative arts at Britain’s centres of academic excellence.
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To motivate Scholars to act as ambassadors from the USA to the UK and vice versa throughout their lives thus strengthening British American understanding.
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To promote the personal and academic fulfilment of each Scholar.
Information
Open Date: 12 June 2025 at 5pm BST for the 2026 application cycle
Subject: Unrestricted.
Eligibility: Open only to United States citizens who (at the time they take up their Scholarship) hold a first degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States with a minimum GPA of 3.7. To qualify for awards tenable from October 2026, candidates must have graduated from their undergraduate college or university after April 2023.
NB: Persons already studying for or holding a British degree or degree-equivalent qualification are not eligible to apply for a Marshall Scholarship.
Value: University fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, fares to and from the United States and, where applicable, a contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse.
Number of Awards: Up to 50 Scholarships awarded annually.
Tenure:
The One Year Marshall Scholarship is tenable for one academic year (ie 12 months) and cannot be extended.
The Two Year Marshall Scholarship is tenable for two academic years (ie 22 months), but may be extended by the Commission, though not beyond the end of a third academic year. Third-year extensions are granted by the Commission on a limited basis, for strong academic reasons, subject to the availability of funds.
In addition to the third year funding offered by the Commission:
- up to three third-year extensions may be offered through the Ray Dolby-Marshall scholarship which is administered internally
- up to third-year extensions may be granted by the Cambridge Trust to those pursuing a doctorate at the University of Cambridge.
Applications: Applications are made in one of eight regions in the United States. Candidates may apply in one region only – either that in which they have their permanent home address or ordinary place of residence/employment, or that in which they are studying.
Closing date for applicants: 16 September 2025 by 5pm in the time zone of endorsing institution
Enquiries: Email apps@marshallscholarship.org or regional centre in the US.