The Marshall Scholarship, UK – 2021/2022

The Marshall Scholarship is a postgraduate scholarship for intellectually distinguished young Scholars and  their country’s future leaders to study at any university in the United Kingdom.

The Marshall scholarship Created by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1953 as a living gift to the United States in recognition of the generosity of Secretary of State George C. Marshall and the Marshall Plan in the wake of World War II.

The goal of the scholarship was to strengthen the Special Relationship between the two countries for “the good of mankind in this turbulent world.

The scholarships are awarded by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission and are largely funded by the British government.

Aims  of The Marshall scholarship

• To enable intellectually distinguished young Scholars, their country’s future leaders, to study in the UK.
• To help young intelligent scholars gain an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain.
• To contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences and the creative arts at Britain’s centre of academic excellence.
• To motivate scholars to act as ambassadors from all over the world to the UK and vice versa throughout their lives thus strengthening understanding among them.
• To promote the personal and academic fulfilment of each scholar.

Eligibility

• Prospective applicants must first be endorsed by their universities to apply. The selection process is then coordinated through the eight major British embassy/consulate regions in the United States (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.).
• Selection committees in each region, consisting of former Scholars and other distinguished individuals, receive university-endorsed applications (including personal statements and essays) which are used to select a short list of candidates for interviews.
• Each committee then interviews each of the regional finalists prior to making the final decisions on the year’s awards. In 2014, 16 per cent of university-endorsed applicants received an interview.
• Candidates are further  advised to find out all they can about British universities and the availability of their chosen programme of study or research since facilities vary from one institution to another.
• Some programmes which are commonly available in the universities and colleges of the United States are not found in British universities and, where they are available, different kinds of preparation are required.

How to apply

Candidates are expected to fill out the form and submit it through the system to their undergraduate institution, the institution ensures that the application is complete and decides whether or not to endorse it.

If the Institution decides to endorse the application they will add the letter of endorsement and will then submit it through the system to the appropriate regional committee.

Candidates should contact the appropriate contact at their institution if they are considering applying for a Marshall Scholarship.

No endorsing institution may submit more than 24 applications overall.

There is no limit to the number of applications that can be sent to an individual Region, but the overall number of applications that an institution can endorse will be a maximum of 24.

Final submission of the application including the three letters of recommendation and letter of endorsement must be submitted online by the endorsing institution and received at the regional centre.

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What comes next after applications for Marshall Scholarship?

Applications will be received and reviewed at eight regional centres in the United States. Shortlisted candidates will be called for interview, virtually on zoom, in November. Dates and guidance for the interviews can be found here.

The final selection will be announced shortly after interview. Successful applicants will be offered a scholarship in writing, and will be asked to accept or decline this offer.
Also in writing, within 10-12 days of receiving it (Nb this timeframe may be shorter where the interviews occur late in the interview week).

In keeping with other UK government-funded programs the Marshall Commission asks Scholars to give a definitive and final response in this way, so that the Commission can at the earliest opportunity arrange the best and most appropriate graduate program and living accommodation for each Scholar’s needs.