Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026–27 | Application
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026–27 is one of the most prestigious international postgraduate awards in the world. Established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship supports outstanding applicants from outside the United Kingdom to study full-time at the University of Cambridge. The program covers the full cost of study and provides additional funding for professional development, research, and travel.
For the 2026–27 academic session, applications will officially open on 10 September 2025. It is important to note that funding for the 2025–26 academic cycle is already closed. The scholarship follows two separate application rounds—one exclusively for US citizens resident in the USA, and another for all other eligible international candidates.
Key Highlights of Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026–27
- Applications Open: 10 September 2025
- Eligible Applicants: Non-UK citizens applying for postgraduate programs at the University of Cambridge
- Selection Rounds:
- Round One: US citizens resident in the USA (deadline 15 October 2025)
- Round Two: All other international applicants (deadlines vary by course: 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026)
- Scholarship Coverage: Full tuition, living allowance, travel, and academic development grants
- Notification Dates: US applicants by December 2025; other applicants by March 2026
Gates Cambridge Scholarship: Selection Rounds
- Applications Open: 10 September 2025
- Application Deadline: 15 October 2025 (all documents, including references, must be submitted by 23:59 GMT)
- Departmental Ranking: 20 October – 20 November 2025
- Notification of Outcome: by 10 December 2025
- Review and Selection Panels: 23–24 January 2026
- Scholarship Offers Released: by 2 February 2026
- Scholarship Acceptance Deadline: Within 72 hours of receiving the offer
Note: US citizens studying, working, or living outside the United States at the time of application must apply in the second round alongside other international candidates.
- Applications Open: 10 September 2025
- Application Deadlines:
- 2 December 2025 (for certain courses)
- 7 January 2026 (for other courses, check the Course Directory)
- Departmental Ranking: December 2025 – February 2026
- Notification of Outcome: by 4 March 2026
- Review and Selection Panels: 23–24 March 2026
- Scholarship Offers Released: by 6 April 2026
- Scholarship Acceptance Deadline: 72 hours after offer
Applicants must check the Cambridge Course Directory for the exact course deadline as it determines when the application needs to be submitted.
Eligibility for Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026–27
- Be citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom.
- Apply to pursue one of the following at the University of Cambridge:
- A full-time PhD program
- A one-year full-time postgraduate course (MPhil, LLM, MSc, etc.)
- Demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to improving the lives of others.
Application Process for Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Check Eligibility: Confirm that you meet the nationality and academic criteria.
- Select a Course: Use the Cambridge University Course Directory to find the program you wish to pursue.
- Complete the Online Application: Submit through the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Portal. The application form includes a specific section for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
- Submit Required Documents:
- Academic transcripts
- Research proposal or study plan
- Two academic references and one personal reference
- A personal statement explaining how they meet the scholarship criteria
- Departmental Ranking: Applications are reviewed and ranked by academic departments.
- Shortlisting and Interview: Selected applicants are invited for interviews conducted by Gates Cambridge panels.
- Final Decision: Offers are released according to the round-specific timeline, and candidates must respond within 72 hours.
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What Does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Cover?
- Full cost of tuition at the University of Cambridge
- Annual maintenance allowance (living expenses)
- Airfare to and from the UK at the beginning and end of the program
- Academic development funding (for conferences, fieldwork, or other activities)
- Family allowance (for students with children)
- Additional support for unforeseen hardship cases
Are You Scholarship-Ready? An Instant Eligibility Check
FAQs on Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026–27
Applications open on 10 September 2025.
Only US citizens currently living in the United States.
Depending on the course, either 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026.
The award covers tuition, living allowance, airfare, and academic development funding.
Extremely competitive, with thousands of applicants each year for a limited number of places.
Conclusion
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026–27 provides a rare opportunity for exceptional international students to pursue postgraduate studies at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. With comprehensive funding, leadership development opportunities, and a rigorous selection process, the program continues to attract the brightest minds committed to solving global challenges.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the deadlines for their selection round, prepare all required documents, and apply early to maximize their chances of success.