Marshall Scholarships

This information is provided as a resource only. Case Western Reserve University cannot verify the accuracy, availability or requirements for any listing.

About

Founded by a 1953 Act of Parliament, Marshall Scholarships are mainly funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and commemorate the humane ideals of the Marshall Plan conceived by General George C. Marshall. They express the continuing gratitude of the British people to their American counterparts. The Marshall Scholarship is a very prestigious and competitive award, providing tuition and living Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom in a system of higher education recognized for its excellence.

The objectives of the program are as follows:

1. To enable intellectually distinguished young Americans, their country's future leaders, to study in the U.K.
2. To help scholars gain an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain.
3. To contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences and the creative arts at Britain's centers of academic excellence.
4. To motivate scholars to act as ambassadors from the U.S. to the U.K. and vice versa throughout their lives thus strengthening British American understanding.
5. To promote the personal and academic fulfillment of each scholar.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a 2027 Marshall Scholarship, candidates must:

• Be citizens of the United States of America (at the time they apply for a scholarship);
• By the time they take up their scholarship (i.e. September 2027), hold their first undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States;
• Have obtained a grade point average of not less than 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale) on their undergraduate degree at the time of application – rounded GPAs are not accepted.;
• Have graduated from their first undergraduate college or university after April 2024;
• Not have studied for, or hold a degree or degree-equivalent qualification from a British University or GCSE or A Levels taken at school in the UK.

Candidate Evaluation Criteria

Marshall candidates should have the potential to excel as scholars, as leaders and as contributors to improved UK-US understanding. In doing so, recognizing the value of diversity among applicants and promote equality of opportunity. It is the hope and expectation that Scholars represent the breadth of talent across the United States of America.

The selection criteria are divided into three equally weighted categories:

• Academic Merit
• Leadership Potential
• Ambassadorial Potential

Application Procedure

1. Connect with the Undergraduate Advising Support Office (scholarshipsandfellowships@case.edu), preferably during your junior year but no later than Aug. 1 prior to your senior year, to discuss your goals and plan to compete in this scholarship process. Current graduate students should contact gradstudies@case.edu.

2. Begin the Marshall application online and select Case Western Reserve University as the endorsing institution. Dr. Raj Ghosh can be selected as the endorser for undergraduate students. The deadline to begin an application is Sept. 1, 2026.

3. Submit your online application by the campus deadline of Sept. 15, 2026. The online application:

• Application form (includes personal, education, employment details, etc.)
• Five application essays:
  • Personal Statement: This should be a short statement in which candidates should describe their intellectual development and other interests and pursuits. (Max 1000 words/8000 characters)
  • Proposed Academic Programme: Candidates should describe below their proposed academic programme, giving reasons for their choice of course and preferred university. Those hoping to read for a research degree should give an outline proposal of the research they wish to undertake and with whom they would like to work. Candidates should also include a brief outline of why they have chosen their second choice courses and institutions. (Max 500 words/8000 characters)
  • Post-scholarship Plans: Candidates should describe their immediate plans upon completion of their Marshall Scholarship and why two years spent undertaking a degree in the UK would enhance these plans. As well as describing plans for employment or further study, candidates should indicate how they would develop ongoing connections with the UK, through their UK institution or some other contacts they propose to make while in the UK.  Please also include a brief statement of your future career plans. (Max 300 words/8000 characters)
  • Leadership Potential: Candidates should describe a situation in which they recognized and responded to a need for leadership. When answering this question please consider the Commission’s criteria on leadership potential (Max 500 words/8000 characters)
  • Ambassadorial Potential: Candidates should explain why they want to undertake their studies in the UK, and in what particular ways do they think that they will benefit personally and professionally from the experience? Candidates should discuss how work in their field of study (including their own research) can enhance the USA-UK relationship. They should further explain what they might do to contribute to improved relations in this area now and following the scholarship. The Ambassadorial Potential Criteria can be found here. (Max 500 words/8000 characters)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, if applicable
• An unofficial transcript

4. Campus interviews are required for all candidates. Times will be identified for interviews based on your class schedule and committee availability. This process will not only allow the Campus Selection Committee to evaluate your candidacy but allow you to finalize your formal Marshall application.

5. Complete final application submission, letters of recommendation included, by Sept. 25, 2026. Campus endorsement will be completed following the campus interviews and by the national deadline.

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