In May of 2024, the Winston Churchill Foundation elected the University of South Florida (USF) to become a participant institution of the Churchill Scholarship Program. USF will join a group of 110 U.S. universities who can nominate outstanding seniors or recent graduates majoring in STEM to pursue a one-year research-based Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Churchill Scholars reside at Churchill College, one of the youngest of the University of Cambridge’s 31 colleges, which includes the 478-year-old Trinity College.
The Churchill Scholarship Program was established at the request of Sir Winston Churchill as part of the founding of Churchill College in 1958. In establishing the scholarship, Churchill, who coined the term “The Special Relationship” to describe the enduring US-UK relationship, expressed a vision for Churchill Scholars as agents to strengthen binational connections through research in medicine and the sciences.
The first group of three Churchill Scholars was selected in 1963. Today, the Winston Churchill Foundation awards only 18 scholarships annually, including two in science and technology policy. Each participating institution can nominate only two students. The Churchill Scholarships are highly selective, and candidates are chosen based on academic excellence evidenced in coursework and a strong record in undergraduate research, publications, and presentations at national and international conferences.
Unlocking global opportunities for USF students
USF’s application to the Winston Churchill Foundation was spearheaded by the Office of National Scholars (ONS). The application highlighted the university’s institutional excellence in STEM education, its strong commitment to undergraduate research, and its proven success in securing prestigious awards similar to the Churchill Scholars Program.
USF’s selection to the Association of American Universities (AAU) in 2023, increasing research expenditures, and ONS’ stellar record of enhancing student success played a pivotal role in becoming a participant institution. In the last decade, ONS has helped students achieve national success with prestigious awards, including:
- 23 Goldwater Scholars
- Five Marshall finalists and one Marshall Scholar
- Two Gates Cambridge Scholars
- Two Rhodes finalists in consecutive years (2021 and 2022)
“The Churchill Scholars program will open new avenues for USF’s high achieving STEM students to obtain life-changing experiences at the University of Cambridge, home of numerous Nobel laureates and fundamental discoveries at the cutting-edge,” said ONS director and Churchill College alum Sayandeb Basu. “This opportunity, given USF’s excellence in health sciences will be a tremendous boon for students who want to do research in medicine and allow access to the spectrum of medical science courses eligible that are supported by the UK’s Medical Research Council.”
Judy Genshaft Honors College Endowed Dean Charles Adams added, "The university’s selection to participate in the Churchill Scholarship program will open a host of new opportunities for USF’s talented students as it strengthens our ties to other internationally renowned research institutions.”
What’s next?
Through the Office of National Scholars, USF will administer the mentoring, selection, and nomination of candidates for the Churchill Scholarships beginning this fall. The Winston Churchill Foundation has appointed Dr. Basu as campus representative for the program.
“I foresee exciting times ahead for our undergraduate researchers as they become a strong pipeline for the Goldwater, NSF-GRF, and the Churchill Scholars nominee pool,” said Basu.
Recruiting and mentoring viable candidates for the 2024 Churchill Scholarships will begin as soon as the first week of classes in fall. Students will apply to their chosen graduate programs by mid-October, and ONS will submit nominations for Churchill Scholarship in November.
Interested students with a strong academic record and research experience should contact ONS and Dr. Basu for an appointment.